The daughter of Burgundy had won the Listed O'Leary's Fillies' Stakes (1200m)
at her previous appearance, but it was her effort at Hastings that has changed
her Awapuni trainer's mind."I was a bit worried that she was only going to be a 1200m filly, but the way she settled today she looks like she will go over a bit of ground."
A winner last season on her home track, Dijon Bleu holds a nomination for the Gr.1 gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas, although Latta isn't committing to a Riccarton trip just yet.
"I want to get her home after this and have a look at her, she's quite a slight filly," she said.
Dijon Bleu settled well off a hectic early pace and she was able to work closer across the top under rider Vinnie Colgan, who picked up the ride after Troy Harris was unable to make the weight.
"She ended up a bit further back than I thought, but she was in a nice rhythm and then she got out into the best part of the track," Latta said.
Dijon Bleu lengthened stride strongly in the run home to score by a length and three-quarters.
"I had a nice run in the race and she travelled strongly into it turning for home," Colgan said. "She let down well and won it pretty easily in the end."
Florence Jean sat in second spot to the turn and she fought on gamely once headed by Dijon Bleu to take second money ahead of Princess Rihanna, who got home strongly after missing the jump.
Pacemaker Astor weakened to fourth in front of Caesour's Dream and next in was the maiden Lubaya, who was doing her best work late.
A $26,000 NZB Select Sale purchase for her trainer, Dijon Bleu is from a half-sister by More than Ready (USA) to Group II winner So Pristine. – NZ Racing Desk.
