Lemieux Scores with Impressive Debut…

22/2/2010

Blue Sky Thoroughbreds’ 2008 Stallion Fund produced another impressive graduate last Thursday with the win of 3yo Redoute’s Choice colt Lemieux at Canterbury.

Like 2009 Stallion Fund graduate and Golden Slipper favourite Beneteau, Lemieux is under the care of leading young trainer Paul Messara at his Arrowfield Training Complex at Scone and was ridden by leading apprentice Daniel Ganderton. The colt is named after NHL Pittsburgh Penguins legendary ice hockey player Mario Lemieux.

Racing for the first time at a distance considered too short for the son of Redoute’s, Lemieux travelled nicely over the 1100m trip, however ducked out greenly on the home turn. Once in the straight, the colt knuckled down bravely to his work to rein in the heavily backed race favourite, the Guy Walter trained Hardbreak Hotel in the final stages to win by a neck. Trainer Paul Messara has indicated the horse wants a mile and is aiming the 3yo at the Group 2 Phar Lap stakes over 1500m 3rd up this preparation.

“He went shin sore as a 2yo and then broke a bone in his nose playing as a juvenile, so its great to see his potential finally getting a chance to shine through” commented Blue Sky Bloodstock Director Julian Blaxland. “Paul has always had a good opinion of this colt and we hope he progresses to group class being a three-quarter brother to freshman sire Stratum and such a cracking type”.