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It took a while for Two Blue to crack a Group victory but trainer Kristen Buchanan hopes she can win another in the 2016 Godolphin Crown at Hawkesbury.
Two Blue has continued to improve with age and the seven-year-old goes into the 2016 Godolphin Crown as a last-start winner of the Group 2 2016 Sapphire Stakes during the Championships at Randwick.
That win was well-deserved for Two Blue and connections after she ran five second in stakes company last year without a black type win.“It was great timing – a great place to do it – it was just fantastic,” Buchanan told Michael Felgate on RSN Racing and Sport.
“We were wondering going into a spell and coming back for this prep at her age how she’d come back but I think she’s better than ever.”Buchanan is pleased with Two Blue’s barrier draw of four and hopes Mother Nature can increase her chances even further.
“I’d love to have 10mm of rain for her – she absolutely revels in a soft track.”The biggest query is the weight rise for Two Blue, who carries 59kg as a last start Group 2 winner.
“It’s obviously a good strong field and she carries more weight than she has had at previous starts because of the penalty conditions, so that will be interesting for me to see how she copes with that,” Buchanan said.“Going to Queensland we’re looking at the set weight and penalties races for her as well as some of the other options so I need to see what she can do.
“It will certainly tell me a lot about what I need to do going forward.”Jockey Paul King has formed a great association with Two Blue and stays aboard for the 2016 Godolphin Crown.
“He’s fabulous on her – he really clicks,” Buchanan said.“Paul’s really worked out how to get her to relax within herself while he’s riding her and that’s a big ticket to her success.”
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