After a career-defining run by his talented American-bred charge, Choo Choo Blue in the 13th running of the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC) Trophy feature on the 10-race Emancipation Day card, trainer Peter McMaster now has his sights set on the Gold Cup in October.

The four-year-old bay filly ( Cowtown Cat – ChooBloo by Bolger) under a courageous ride by jockey Javaniel Patterson closed rapidly to finish a half-length ahead of her six rivals in the five and a half furlongs (1,100m) contest. Choo Choo Blue covered the distance in a good time of 1:06.1 with searing splits of 22.2 and 45.1.

McMaster pointed out that the performance on Tuesday adds impetus to his filly’s chances for the seven-furlong (1,400m) Gold Cup, as she has now proven her class as a good sprinter and middle-distance horse.

“The last time she won (June 24), I knew that she was rapidly on the improve because she didn’t run from last year and she came back and won, and she came out the last time (July 19) in the five straight and she was slowly into stride and came in second by a neck.

“So I am looking forward to the Gold Cup and she will be back two weeks or so before the Gold Cup, all being well. I rate her chances very highly because she is the best female racer right now. she was champion sprinter female and champion imported sprinter, so she is going places,” noted McMaster of Choo Choo Blue’s credentials.

Sent off as the 2-1 second choice against some of the best sprinters on offer, including last year’s Gold Cup winner Buzz Nightmare (Ian Spence), Choo Choo Blue broke well from the number four draw, but was taken off the pace by Patterson after suffering a slight mishap.

With Buzz Nightmare and Sir Budget (Anthony Thomas), battling for the lead, Patterson bided his time with Choo Choo Blue, before producing the filly on the inside rails up with a devastating run to topple the leaders. Another Bullet (Odeen Edwards) was also flying in the finish to end in second, but there was no stopping Choo Choo Blue. Buzz Nightmare had initially finished third, but was later relegated to fourth behind Sir Budget for for causing intimidation and interference.

A blessing in disguise was how Patterson described the win, and McMaster, whose wife Elaine owns the filly, concurred.

“She ran a good race as a very fit horse; she kept off the pace, which was the jockey’s plan to come off the pace because I said he should go with Buzz Nightmare, but he didn’t break sharp, so he decided to wait and it paid off,” McMaster revealed.

“I know she has speed and stamina, so that’s why the initial plan was to go with the favourite with hopes of slipping by in the straight. I was a bit anxious when I saw her off the pace, but her victory eased the anxiety and I am now a very happy man because it turned out to be a good ride by the jockey,” he added.