Trainer Bjorn Baker’s fervent appeal to owner John Singleton followed Blue Door’s commanding performance, leading the field in the Group 3 $250,000 Heritage Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Blue Door showcased exceptional sustained speed, securing a decisive victory in near track-record time, positioning herself as a contender for a coveted slot in the Group 1 $20 million The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 17.
While Singleton was not present to witness Blue Door’s triumph, he can anticipate calls from slot-holders keen to gauge his interest in The Everest.
It is understood that Newgate is closely observing Blue Door, given her lineage as a daughter of their highly regarded young stallion, Stay Inside.
Having only her fourth career start, Blue Door celebrated her second win alongside two second-place finishes, clearly demonstrating abundant natural speed for a filly.
“I tell you what no weight, weight-for-age, there is a race in three weeks – Singo you there?” Baker repeated.
“But that was exciting, she has always shown us a lot and we will see what happens.
“She would add a real dynamic to the race (Everest). She’s a very fast filly, she had to carry a bit more weight today, she has natural gate speed, she paraded great and is a filly on the rise.
“She set up a track record speed last time, you get them chasing and it could be an absolutely different story and with no weight, who knows?”
Blue Door has yet to race beyond 1100m in her brief racing career, and Baker offered a fitting response when questioned about her ability to handle 1200m.
“From 1100m to 1200m – Sir Edmund Hillary was getting to the final steps of The Everest and he got a bit tired but he found a way, it’s Kiwi trait. He was the first to climb Everest and he was a New Zealander,” Baker quipped.
As the $1.85 favourite, Blue Door proved superior to her competitors, crossing the line a clear two-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of Ciaron’s Star ($8), with Outspan ($41) securing third place a length further back.
Renowned jockey Nash Rawiller, who has partnered many of Singleton’s top horses, including the exceptional mare More Joyous, is expected to offer high praise for the filly to her owner.
“Blue Door’s gifted, isn’t she! She’s just explosive,” Rawiller said.
“She has so much speed, it’s just harnessing it, I think. She’s too quick for her own good.
“It’s not very often you pull up and think, gee, this reminds me of a smaller version of More Joyous. I don’t know if it’s the colours of her, or just the long action but this filly is very exciting.”
Blue Door’s natural acceleration saw her take the lead early, and Rawiller maintained a strong yet controlled pace throughout the race.
“That’s her, though, she makes it look easy,” Rawiller said.
“Even though she makes it look easy, it’s a speed you can’t keep running, but she did a very good job today.
“She travelled well and with a couple of runs under her belt, she was really solid right to the line.”
Last season, Blue Door captured the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes in her sole start. She commenced her current campaign with consecutive second-place finishes behind Chilly Girl in the Listed The Rosebud and then behind Guest House in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes, before her dominant performance in the Heritage Stakes.
“She was very smooth and lovely to see John Singleton’s colours winning,” Baker said.
“John isn’t here but his family is, his daughter is here, and this filly is pretty special to him.
“I’m very lucky to train a very good, very fast filly – and she is exceptionally fast.”
The outstanding filly Blue Door is now a genuine contender for The Everest, with bookmakers offering competitive racing odds on her potential inclusion.