Blue Renegade Triumphs at Sandown in Thrilling Race
In the world of horse racing, trainer Mathew Ellerton’s strategy of a shorter trip proved instrumental in Blue Renegade’s return to winning form. The talented colt secured victory in the Sportsbet Set A Deposit Limit Handicap (1000m) at Sandown on Saturday, cementing his unbeaten record at the track.
Blue Renegade, sent off as the $3.70 betting app favorite under the guidance of jockey Ethan Brown, displayed his natural speed to cross the line 2-¼ lengths ahead of the previously victorious Interest Point ($3.80). Clean Reef ($6.50) finished a close third, half-a-head behind the runner-up.
Ellerton, who is not a big believer in weights and measures, believes the decision to drop Blue Renegade back to the 1000-meter distance was a key factor in the colt’s success. “He’s a naturally fast sort of horse, and I thought the 1000 meters would help us,” the trainer said. “He did get challenged in front last time, but to the horse’s credit, he fought back on the line, and I thought the 1000 meters was suitable today.”
Blue Renegade’s campaign has been a pleasant surprise for Ellerton, who described the two-year-old as an “ugly duckling” when he first started working with the colt. However, the horse has since grown and developed, and the trainer believes he will continue to improve as a three-year-old.
“He’s done a very good job and is really deep into a preparation now, and for not an overly robust horse, he’s done a great job,” Ellerton said. “I would say he probably deserves a break. He’s a developing sort of horse, and I think he will be a beautiful three-year-old.”
With two wins and two second-place finishes in his four starts, Blue Renegade has certainly made his mark on the racing scene. Ellerton’s faith in the colt’s natural abilities and the decision to shorten the distance have paid off, and horse racing enthusiasts can look forward to seeing more of this talented young horse in the future.
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