AFTER Lady Blue’s win in the 28th running of the Thornbird Stakes on Saturday, the confidence of the filly’s trainer, Wayne DaCosta, has significantly increased as the pair head into next month’s 1000 Guineas.

The 1000 Guineas, the season’s first Classic race, is scheduled for April 13 and will run over one mile or 8 furlongs or 1,600 metres.

Bred and owned by Carlton Watson, Lady Blue led from start to finish to win the Thornbird convincingly by two lengths while posting 1:26.0 for the 7-furlong (1,400m) event.

“Good performance from Lady Blue. She was allowed 3.0kgs by Corazon but Corazon was behind her at the finish of the race. Lady Blue basically toyed with them [other horses] in the early part of the race and was asked to run from two furlongs out.

“Well, I think I have a good chance in the 1000 Guineas now. Princess Ava who finished second was gaining rapidly on Lady Blue but she will be picking up quite a lot of weight coming into the 1000 Guineas making it quite a nice race in the offing,” DaCosta stated.

Lady Blue, ridden by jockey Omar Walker, got a good break from the number seven post and quickly went into the lead over Princess Lauren (Dane Dawkins), Corazon (Robert Halledeen) and Casual Drink (Dane Nelson).

As the runners sorted themselves out down the backstretch, Lady Blue continued to lead over the trio of Princess Lauren, Corazon and Casual Drink who were in a tight pack.

As expected, Lady Blue increased the tempo at the half-mile (800m) turn over Princess Lauren with Corazon slipping down into third spot.

However, coming into the lane, Lady Blue hit another gear and turned on the pressure by drawing away from rivals and although she was shortening somewhat in the end, it was more than enough to hold onto a comfortable win.

Princess Ava (Reyan Lewis) came with a strong run in deep stretch for second, with Princess Lauren third.

Bred by Blue Pepsi Lodge – The Vibes Lady, the Carlton Watson-owned and-bred Lady Blue ran the distance in 1:26.0.