Great 2017 start for Blue Point in Pavilion

Blue Point made an exciting start to his three-year-old campaign when breaking the six-furlong course record at Ascot, UK, in the G3 Pavilion Stakes on Wednesday, May 3. 

The Charlie Appleby-trained Shamardal colt was squeezed for room leaving the stalls but soon recovered to race in third of a six-strong group down the centre of the course as the 10 runners split into two. 

He started to make his challenge passing the two-furlong marker and moved up to take the lead under William Buick over a furlong from home. 

Blue Point quickened strongly and was eased in the closing stages when beating Harry Angel by a length and a half on good to firm ground, with his time of 1m 11.05s shaving almost half a second off the previous best mark. There was another length and a half back to the third, Mubtasim.

Charlie Appleby commented: “I was delighted with Blue Point today. We held him in high regard as a two-year-old and he has done nothing but please us from two to three. 

“We took him out to Dubai and he wintered well. A lot of credit must go to Willie Ryan, who rides him in work and has taught the horse to settle. 

“We felt that taking Blue Point out of a big string and training him in a more relaxed surrounding would help and he looked great physically in the paddock today. He is built like a sprinter. 

“William Buick said that one of his key attributes today was that he went through the gears and he was a different horse compared to last year. He conserved his energy and used it at the right end of the race. Full credit to the team, who have done a great job. 

“I haven’t got anything quick enough to lead him at home and I am confident that he will come forward for this run. We have got some good work into him but he has never really been asked to extend at home. 

“Hopefully, we can now take Blue Point straight to the G1 Commonwealth Cup (6f, Royal Ascot, June 23). He will probably get seven furlongs in time but we will stick to sprinting for the moment - he is quick and does it very well.”