It took Blue Point (GB) a frustratingly long time to register his first winner in Australia last season, but the son of Shamardal is off the mark with his first 2-year-old runner of the new season.
Icarian Dream was among the early favourites for the Group III Gimcrack Stakes after trialling brilliantly at the official Randwick 2yo trials. That was put on hold when she came in season, and her debut was pushed back to the Ranvet Maiden Plate (1000m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Ridden by Tim Clark for Ciaron Maher, Icarian Dream settled fourth behind the leaders Enchanted By a Burma Star.
Icarian Dream levelled up with Burma Star at the 200m; however, Godolphin’s homebred son of Exceed And Excel was in for the fight. The filly was all out in defeating the colt by a short-head with the Written By filly Enchanted By a half-length back in third.
Ciaron Maher said he will plot a path to the Magic Millions 2yo Classic in January for the Blue Point (GB) filly.
Tim Clark said he had nothing to do with the filly’s preparation.
“This was my first sit on her, but she was impressive
“Everyone saw her at the official 2yo trials. Unfortunately, she did not get to the Gimcrack, but they were patient and rewarded today.
“The leaders had an easy time in the first two furlongs, so I wanted to put her into the race. Because they went slow, I knew they would slip home quickly. The race was there to be won or lost at the 100m, and to her credit, she dug deep and found the line well.
Consigned by Three Bridges Thoroughbreds to the National Weanling Sale, Icarian Dream was a $310,000 purchase for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock, who signed for the daughter Blue Point a second time when paying $10,000 less at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale when offered by Sledmere Stud.
Icarian Dream is the first winner from two runners for the winning Stryker mare Teebo, a half-sister to the stakes-placed winners Time After Time (Danehill Dancer) and Coming Back (High Chaparral) out of the Group 1 ARC Railway Hcp winner Recurring (Pentire).
A $140,000 buy for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock / Waterford Bloodstock at the 2017 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Teebo has missed for the past two seasons.
