Just A Blur produced an all-round impressive performance to take out Sunday’s Goulburn Cup (1600m) and co-trainer Paul Jones has revealed the mare may now be set for the Group 2 Villiers Stakes at Randwick on December 12th.
Jockey Michael Cahill partnered Just A Blur to success in the Goulburn Cup on Sunday. Photo: Daniel Costello
Jumping from the gates well, jockey Michael Cahill chose to settle Just A Blur at the rear of the capacity field of sixteen; allowing the race’s early leaders to set a fair tempo from the outset.
Receiving an ideal run in transit on the rails and settling into a great rhythm, Cahill elected to peel the daughter of Dane Shadow off the fence rounding onto the final straight; a move that prove decisive when the five-year-old produced an impressive turn of foot to comfortably overcome her rivals by close to two lengths.
Cahill was thrilled with the feel offered up by Just A Blur in the success and believes the win ranks as the best of her 27 career starts so far.
“It was a pretty strong race and she hasn’t had any luck at her past few starts,” Cahill told the media after the race.
“She got that today.”
Jones was understandably thrilled with Just A Blur’s Goulburn Cup triumph and revealed he and his mother, co-trainer Barbara Joseph will discuss the legitimacy of a berth in the 2015 Villiers Stakes (1600m); a race that offers the winner ballot-free entry into the 2016 Doncaster Mile during The Championships.
“Why not shoot for the stars and aim for the Villiers,” Jones Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“She would have to be a lightweight chance. She has probably gone beyond country races now and Mum’s got a history at the Randwick Mile.”
Securing a commendable career total of five wins and eight minors through her racing career so far, Just A Blur has been a consistent performer on the country circuit for Jones and Joseph since first appearing on course competitively in early 2013.
Set for a number of city features upon resuming this year, Just A Blur ran a credible fifth behind the likes of Catkins in the Group 2 Breeders’ Classic (1200m) on February 7th, continuing to impress on her way to a maiden appearance at the highest level in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) on April 11th; albeit an unsuccessful run.
2015 Villiers Stakes nominations are due by Monday, December 7th, while a final field and barrier draw is set to be completed and released by midday on the 9th.
