Mickey Blue Eyes (AUS) 3 c Medaglia d’Oro – Carolina Bella by Zabeel)
Mickey Blue Eyes had shown glimpses of ability in three previous starts as a juvenile, but demonstrated the benefit of a spell when breaking his maiden in fine style at Bendigo on Wednesday.
The Lindsay Park-trained colt settled in sixth place behind a good tempo before improving under riding upon straightening up for home. The son of Medaglia d’Oro (El Prado) responded well for Regan Bayliss’ urgings and finished with a flurry to reel in Prince Of Caviar (Sebring), the second foal out of unbeaten champion Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) who looked all over the winner with 100 metres to run.
This was a very taking first-up win and Mickey Blue Eyes appears to have left behind his modest juvenile form which yielded one place from three starts. He looks set for a good future up in trip provided that he can build on this short-head victory.
Mickey Blue Eyes is the second foal out of the dual winner and New Zealand-raced mare Carolina Bella (Zabeel), making him a half-brother to the three-time winning gelding Super Swoop (Casino Prince), whose victories have come over middle-to staying distances.
Carolina Bella is out of the Listed-winning and Group 2-placed Wyndam Special (Centaine), who is herself is a three-quarter-sister to Done That (Centaine), the dam of Group 3 winners Rainbow Styling (Zabeel) and Zingaling (Redoute’s Choice).
Carolina Bella, who missed to the late Hinchinbrook (Fastnet Rock) in 2013, currently has a yearling filly by Hallowed Crown (Street Sense), and also has a colt foal by Shooting To Win (Northern Meteor). The mare missed to Coolmore stallion Pierro (Lonhro) in 2018.
Race Replay: https://www.racing.com/form/2018-09-12/bendigo/race/1