Blue Bolt confirms superiority over Precise at Deauville
CLASSY OPERATOR: Blue Bolt was ridden to another Group 1 success by Colin Keane. Picture: Joe Giddens/PA
Blue Bolt continued her faultless campaign with victory in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville.
Runner-up to Fallen Angel in the Sun Chariot at Newmarket at the end of last season, Andrew Balding’s filly has taken her game to another level this term with a comeback win in Listed company at Goodwood followed by big-race triumphs in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Falmouth at Newmarket.
The four-year-old was renewing rivalry with the July course runner-up, Aidan O’Brien’s Irish 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes heroine Precise, and at one stage it looked like the latter may take her revenge in the hands of Ryan Moore.
But Blue Bolt was doing her best work at the finish under Colin Keane and lunged late to claim a seventh win from 10 career starts, with Mark Prescott’s Coronation Stakes fourth Moon Target bettering that result with a fine effort to finish third.
Balding said: “She’s some filly, she really is — and Colin gave her a wonderful ride. It wasn’t very comfortable watching it, I thought we were beat in the last furlong, but he’s judged it to perfection.
“She’s got great physical strength for a filly, that’s her biggest quality, and she’s got great desire as well. A big thank you to the team at home and Alfie Redman who rides her every day. She’s not easy and likes to take control of things, but he’s really mastered her this last six months and done a great job of it.
“She likes to get on with it, she’s a powerful traveller and knows her strength, so it’s about harnessing that in the right direction.”
Blue Bolt now looks set to bid for further Group 1 success in Ireland, with her trainer adding: “The great thing about her is she’s effective on any ground, which is a big help.
“We always felt the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown (September 12) was her race this year and we won’t lose sight of that for anything prior to that.”
Of Precise, O’Brien said: “I am very pleased with her. In the Falmouth Stakes, Blue Bolt beat her by two lengths, whereas today she finished only half a length behind, despite the weight conditions being less favourable to her. She therefore ran very well.
“She may step up in distance on her next start; we will see whether that is necessary. Her future programme has not yet been decided, and we will take some time to consider it.”
