The talented 2-year-old Blue Point (IRE) colt Blue Renegade did enough right for most of the 1000m of the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Maiden Plate at Sandown-Hillside to open his winning account at start two.
Ridden by Damian Lane for Mathew Ellerton, Blue Renegade made all the running to defeat the Zoustar debutant She's Got Pizzazz, a sister to Group 1 winner Mizzy, by three-quarters of a length. The Extreme Choice first-starter, Baby Hazel, was two lengths back in third.
Blue Renegade went off a disregarded $31 chance on debut when a fighting second to Yulong's Written Tycoon filly Rich Dottie at Caulfield-Heath on April 17.
Mathew Ellerton said the son of Blue Point (IRE) learnt plenty from his debut, although he lugged out to the centre of the track in the closing stages.
"He took natural improvement from his first run but is still a bit raw. He got a bit wayward in the straight, and I hope he didn't interfere with the sound horse too much," Ellerton said.
“We have had a few out of the mare, and they have all been reasonable horses.
“He was a bit of an ugly duckling early but has furnished into himself.
“I thought he paraded much better than his first start; he has come on well.”
A homebred for David Moodie’s Hesket Bloodstock, Blue Renegade has a bit to live up to. He is the 14th foal and tenth winner for the stakes-placed Maroof mare Hard Rider.
He is a half-brother to Group III SAJC Breeders' Stakes winner Big Chill (Artie Schiller), Listed MRC Regal Roller Stakes winner Hard Stride (Street Sense), and Listed MRC Anniversary Vase winner Utah Saints (God’s Own), and the stakes-placegetters Leather'n'lace (Street Cry) and Rough Justice (Wanted).
Hard Rider’s daughter Predestined (King's Best) is the granddam of multiple Group II winner Asfoora, who will be seen at Royal Ascot next.
Hard Rider earned a well-deserved retirement in 2022.
Blue Renegade is the second Australian winner for Darley Stud’s Blue Point (IRE).
The son of Shamardal has had a frustrating run of stakes-placegetters, including Blue Rocket, Blue Stratum, Reasonable Point, Bosoustow and Heavy Metal.
