Celebrate with a Claret

It is often noted that imported gallopers can improve strongly upon their initial local campaign and that theory held true at Warrnambool on Tuesday with Claret 'N' Blue leading throughout to win in impressive fashion.

Having his first run since mid-May, the El Prado four-year-old was able to break through at his fourth local start having been sound at three autumnn runs.

A horse who showed good promise during five starts as a two-year-old in the UK, Claret 'N' Blue has progressed well with maturity and, under the guidance of Audrey Guillemin was never in any doubt in the 1400m maiden.

"No-one wanted to lead," Guillemin said, "so we worked forward and I just held him together."

Beaming after her 11th Australian win, Guillemin was especially thrilled to win a race for Ballyore - "riding for Michael is always a pleasure," she said, "and to ride a winner is amazing,"

Raced by the Brew 1, Brew 2, Pulse, Jacks, Vincitori, Quantum & HH Syndicates with Christopher Lynch and Peter Walker, Claret 'N' Blue was purchased by Paul Moroney for 32,000 guineas at last year's Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale at Newmarket.