Talented juvenile bursting back into action

BLOODBLISTER makes her anticipated return to racing at Clifford Park tomorrow.

Toowoomba trainer Wayne Nugent. Photo: Bev Lacey

RACING: Promising juvenile Bloodblister makes her anticipated return to the track at Clifford Park tomorrow night.

The Wayne Nugent-trained filly made an impression at her debut run at home back in November.

On that night she was sent out at double figure odds, but sent the bookies home winners after scoring by two lengths over Uncle Frank.

The form through the runner-up has stacked up, with Uncle Frank breaking his maiden by over eight lengths, and subsequently winning a Saturday metropolitan event by over three lengths.

Bloodblister was sent out to the paddock after failing to beat a runner home at Doomben at her second outing, but Nugent said she is poised to make amends in the QTIS Two-Years-Old Handicap (870m).

“Her first ever start was a beauty. She really showed a fair bit of promise there,” Nugent said.

“Then she went disappointing in town after that.

“She’s first-up tomorrow and unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity to give her a jumpout or trial, but hopefully she’ll be fit enough on the day.”

Nugent said he is pleased with how she has been preparing in the lead up to her return to the track.

“On the track she’s done everything right,” he said.

“She’s a lot bigger and stronger this time in. I’m quite happy with how she’s progressing.

“She was really strong to the line on debut. When Ron (Goltz) gave her a little dig up in the straight she ran away from them and couldn’t have been more impressive.”

Nugent will also saddle up Clear Sailing as she looks to pick up her second career victory.

The mare, labelled as a “professional placegetter” by her trainer, has saluted just once across 32 starts, but has filled the minor placings 15 times, including at her last four outings.

“ If every horse that you ever trained tried as hard as she did you’d be so happy,” he said.

“All she knows is to try. She lacks that turn of foot which limits her ability, but in saying that the amount that she tries helps her to overcome that.”

Clear Sailing will jump from the outside gate in the Vale Dan O’Neill Benchmark 55 Handicap (1870m), something that Nugent believes works in her favour.

“I think the outside alley suits her,” he said.

“If it’s a sit and sprint affair, she can get stuck on the fence, whereas with the wide gate it suits her being in clear air.

“She should be able to take up a good position and make the move when she wants to, not when she is dictated to.”

Tomorrow night’s meeting, which was an additional meeting granted to Clifford Park, has again been the subject of strong support in terms of acceptances.

Originally set down for six races, the program has been extended to 10 events, with four races split due to the overwhelming participation numbers.

The afternoon will commence at 3.28pm, with the last set to jump at 8.45pm.

Full form and selections for Clifford Park, along with Group 1 racing from Royal Randwick, appears in the Ladbrokes form guide in today’s edition of The Chronicle.

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