Fastnet Rock's Bleu Roche Emerges the Strongest in Red Roses

Mark Smith - Thursday November 8

With just a win in a Sale maiden to her name, the lightly raced Fastnet Rock filly Bleu Roche added a few zeros to her value with a fighting win in the $200,000 Group III Red Roses Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on Oaks day.

In a blanket finish with half a length covering the first six across the line, Tim Clark guided the Matt Laurie-trained Bleu Roche to a short-head win over Causeway Girl (Shamus Award) with Meryl (Epaulette) a nose back in third. (photos Grant Courtney)

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A close-up fourth in the Group III Red Anchor Stakes at Moonee Valley at her most recent start, Bleu Roche advances her record to 2 wins and a second from four starts with earnings of $149,750.

"She was probably a touch closer than she had been racing and it probably took her finish away slightly," Clark said.

"She got to the front and in the last 50m she was running on empty.

"She is a nice filly building a good record and Matt's done a great job with her."

Laurie said he was expecting a big run after Bleu Roche's latest effort.

"Her run the other day at Moonee Valley was enormous," Laurie said.

"I was a bit worried she had spent everything ten days ago but she's backed that up with a really great performance.

"A Group winning filly at her fourth start in her first prep, we've got a lot to look forward to."

A $230,000 purchase by her trainer out of the Newgate Farm draft at the 2017 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Bleu Roche is the third foal of Esprit De Bleu (USA) an American stakes-winning daughter of the Valid Appeal stallion Littleexpectations.

A half-sister to stakes winner Rockin The Blues (Rockport Harbor) Esprit De Bleu (USA) was covered by Headwater last season having not been covered in 2015.

Bred by Love Racing, Bleu Roche becomes the 142^nd stakes-winner for Coolmore Stud's, Fastnet Rock.

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