A two year-old Fastnet Rock filly being compared to the mighty Avantage is being tipped to make a winning debut in New Zealand on Saturday.
Bright Blue Sky is giving off Avantage-type vibes to champion jockey Opie Bosson, who will ride the filly at 54.5kg on Saturday, the first time he’s ridden that light since guiding Probabeel to victory in last year's Karaka Million 3YO Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie.
"I really like this filly so hopefully getting down to that weight will be worth it," Bosson said.
"She reminds me of Avantage - and she's fast. I've ridden her in a few gallops and a trial now. The first time I rode her, I thought 'woah, this thing goes really well' and Jamie said: 'yeah, she does'.
"She does everything right."
Bosson guided Bright Blue Sky to a 1-¼ length trial win at Matamata earlier this month in the fastest of five 800m two-year-old heats on the day.
It was the filly's second trial after finishing second to stablemate Time Flies in an 800m Taupo trial last month.
TAB bookmakers opened Bright Blue Sky as a $1.90 favourite for Saturday’s Listed Fasttrack Insurance 2YO Stakes (1100m) at Te Rapa ahead of 6-¾ length Matamata debut winner Mascarinto at $2.10.
"I expect her to run a bold race. Mascarinto was really impressive when he won at Matamata but hopefully she can measure up to him," Bosson said.
"She's drawn barrier one but we'll play it how it unfolds. What she's shown me in trackwork so far says she's a really good filly anyway."
Bright Blue Sky was a $600,000 Magic Millions purchase for David Ellis/Andrew Williams Bloodstock from the Coolmore draft and is the second foal from Blue Blue Sky, a winning Lonhro daughter of Group III placed Napa Sky, who hails from one of New Zealand’s finest female families.
Napa Sky is a sister to Group II winner La Sizeranne and half-sister to the dam of Group I winner Tavago from the family of Group I stars Grosvenor, National Gallery, Mahaya and champions Lonhro and Lankan Rupee.
