UNDER normal circumstances a six-year-old having its first start at a non-TAB race meeting would create little, if any, interest – except perhaps for the owner and trainer.
There is always an exception, and in this case it is a horse called Bluesbro which makes his debut in the Harelec Remote Area Power Maiden (1108 metres) at Port Macquarie on January 1.
This New Year’s Day meeting always attracts a huge crowd of holiday makers and locals which will add another dimension to the horse’s introduction to racing.
Bluebro, trained at Wyong by Kristen Buchanan, is a full brother to her former top mare Two Blue, a winner of eight races including the Group Two Sapphire Stakes at Rosehill in April.
Ken Dennis and Bruce Mackie, who bred Two Blue, also bred Bluesbro and gave him to Buchanan to train but he developed a breathing problem and became a roarer.
“He is a huge horse and with that problem we never thought he would make it as a race horse so we gave him to a young girl for pony club,” Buchanan said.
“Eventually she gave him back so I decided to keep him and see what he could do. I put a syndicate together and Ken came back in and we had a throat operation done which was successful.”
He is a huge horse and with that problem we never thought he would make it as a race horse, so we gave him to a young girl for pony club.
- Kristen Buchanan
Buchanan said that his form has been strong, and that they are keen to see just how he will perform on the Port Macquarie track in the first race of the year.
“He has trialled well and will take enormous benefit from this run and naturally we are keen to see how he races.
“The interesting point is that Two Blue did not reach her peak until she was a six-year-old.
“I am not saying this horse will be as good but I am hoping we can win a couple of races with him.”
Two Blue was retired earlier this year and is in foal to Zoustar. Meanwhile the Port Macquarie trained Explosive Scene resumes in the Harelec Solar Power Specialists New Year’s Day Cup (1208m) and would appear to have the race at his mercy.
The Marc Quinn trained six-year-old has a good first up record while his form is superior to the remainder including seconds in Highway Handicaps at Rosehill and Randwick before being sent for a break.
