Blondie has another hit with impressive win at Moonee Valley
AT 2pm on Friday afternoon Brendan McCarthy didn’t know if Blondie would start in the Sweeney Estate Agents Plate at Moonee Valley.
The fiery two year old had a mishap and took some skin off in a training accident. But McCarthy’s team gave it the all clear and it started in the 1000m race.
And isn’t McCarthy glad.
The filly, paying $13 on the tote, was pushed forward straight away by experienced jockey Damien Oliver and eventually settled on the rail.
Around the bend Blondie accelerated clear and held off Zarpoya (paying $3.90 with Crownbet) and Balle D’or ($6.50) impressively.
Blondie was also nominated for a race at Caulfield on Thursday, but connections opted for the race at Moonee Valley because they had a better draw.
It also forced a switch of jockey with Oliver taking the ride from Chris Symons, who was booked on a horse that was eventually scratched from the same race.
“She was beautifully relaxed today, she had a bit of a mishap in the pool at Caulfield this afternoon and it was a bit of a worry,” McCarthy said.
“She had a bit of skin off and it was touch and go whether she would race tonight.
“Scratching her yesterday has worked out well in the end but I think it was a pretty smart race yesterday too.”
On debut, Blondie had trialled well at Caulfield recently, but McCarthy was taking nothing for granted.
“She was probably shaken up a little bit more than I wanted to see that day,” he said.
“She was doing everything so comfortably so I thought she would have done it easier, the time was good, but she’s just improving all the time.
McCarthy said the team was now set to target the Blue Diamond Prelude on February 11 with Blondie. And after that: “Hopefully onto the Blue Diamond,” he said.
Balle D’or posted the quickest final sectional and is one to watch in future races.
Blondie is paying $41 to win the Blue Diamond Stakes with www.Crownbet.com.au.