It only seemed a matter of time before Blue Vein broke his maiden and the John O’Shea & Tom Charlton trained colt has kicked off the training duo’s partnership with Yu Long in fine style.
Second to subsequent Group 1 placegetter Fearless on debut, Blue Vein found the line strongly first up and went right on with it to win the TAB Plate (1400m) on Wednesday at Randwick Kensington.
Backed into $1.60 betting app favourite, the imposing Blue Point colt tracked the speed under Tommy Berry and came clear in the straight to score by 1-¾ lengths over Cold Brew ($8.50) with Delrico ($6) getting the bob in for third a further three lengths away.
Co-trainer Tom Charlton hinted that there could be plenty more in store for Blue Vein, who is out of Gypsy Diamond, a three-time Group winning daughter of Not A Single Doubt.
“Worked out really nicely for him, obviously, and a good tempo would have helped him. He’s a sort of horse that builds into his stride, but we think he might make a bit better grade than this in time,” Charlton said.
“So it’s fantastic, it’s our first winner for Yu Long, really pleased and thankful for their support.”
“He’ll definitely get a mile. When we do that, we’ll just have a think about it, but we sort of think he’s going to make a nice miler on a nice big track.”
Tommy Berry had been keen to get aboard Blue Vein having ridden Fearless to victory over him at Newcastle, and suggested there was plenty more to come.
“I’ve sort of had my eyes on him since the day he ran second to Fearless, because I’ve always known he’s had ability, and he put him to the task that day, so he’s come on really well, and he’ll be better when he gets over further,” Berry said.
“He moved into it so nicely and just doesn’t know how to put him away yet, but that’s going to come in time.”
“He didn’t feel as balanced sort of from the 300 to the 200 (metres), than he did the last bit, but that’s just him having a good look around, but everything he’s done at home I’ve been told is first class, so when he gets to a mile in better grade, that’s where you’re going to see him at his best.”
