Saunders plays ball in another code

MATT Saunders has had a quiet start to the season and is still looking for his first winner, but the former Highlander takes two good chances to the Wyndham meeting on Sunday.

Both have drawn the second line in mobiles but will just need an ounce of luck to threaten.

In particular Betstars Blue Jean, who lines up in the Kubala Seeds Stella Frost Stakes for fillies and mares over a mile, looks a filly of real promise after a desperately unlucky fourth on debut at the Riverton meeting earlier this month.

The daughter of Betterthancheddar began from the second line on that occasion as well and was among the tailenders starting the back straight.

Just when junior driver Mark Hurrell was looking to improve, there was a skirmish ahead of them and Betstars Blue Jean was checked and also held up, losing at least six lengths.

She recovered to storm into fourth, less than half a length from second in a race won easily by the front running favourite Machitelli.

“The lost momentum was the main thing that day and while I don’t think she would have threatened the winner, you’d have to think she would have run second quite easily,” said Saunders.

“She’s surprised us a bit because she’s such a lazy worker at home, but every time she’s gone somewhere she’s stepped up and kept improving,” he added.

Saunders races Betstars Blue Jean with her now Christchurchbased breeder Steve Jones and she is the first foal from the Courage Under Fire mare Starfire Blue Jean, a close relation to Blossom Lady.

“Steve normally sends some down here to Snow Devery but at the time he couldn’t take any more so he suggested she come to me which was nice.

“I’ve never met Steve and I understand he’s been scaling back, but once it’s in the blood.”

Earlier Jetenara, a two-win newcomer to the stable with Hurrell also at the reins, will be a sound chance as well in the Grand Hotel Roxburgh Pace.

Saunders has done a swap of sorts with Kirstin Barclay and she is now training Got A Beauty.

“Tom Kilkelly owns Jetenara and after losing form this time in, he came to me for a change of scenery. He’s been going great but he just can’t buy a draw at the moment.”