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By Brenton Le Grand

Ask Wyong trainer Kristen Buchanan to recall her favourite horses over the past decade and invariably Two Blue comes up in the conversation. The Dubleo mare won eight times for Buchanan, including a Group 2 Sapphire Stakes at Royal Randwick, a number of Group placings, and amassed nearly $700,000 for her connections.

But at Muswellbrook today it will be a case of ‘Deja Blue’ for Buchanan as she saddles up two close relatives of her former champion mare. The appropriately named Bluesbro ($8.50 on TAB fixed odds) will resume in Race 4 over 1280m and as the name suggests, is a half-brother to Buchanan’s former top liner. This Primus gelding has been very consistent with six placings from eight starts to date.

“He is first-up and may need the run,” Buchanan said, “but we’ll be aiming at more suitable distances as his preparation progresses.”

The following event sees Two Blue’s sister Ednablue ($5) go round, as this 4YO mare looks to make it back-to-back victories for the stable. Coming off a promising 1.9 len win at Scone last time out, Buchanan hopes to work this talented mare through the grades, and Friday looks to be a good stepping-stone.

“She is still very green but is slowly figuring out what it’s all about,” said Buchanan. “I know the family very well, and they have all been fairly slow maturing.”

Earlier in the card, Buchanan has Oakfield Chaparral ($21) engaged in the 1750m maiden. This High Chaparral filly has always looked like getting over a bit of ground, and the step up to 1750m should be more suitable at only her third race start.

“I have been impressed with her recent work, and we’re really looking forward to seeing her get up to that trip,” Buchanan said. “By High Chap out of a Zabeel mare so you’d think she will appreciate it!”

The Kristen Buchanan stable has been on fire recently with two winners and three seconds from her only eight runners in April. It will be a very busy period for the team, with chargers also nominated at Kembla Grange, Taree and Goulburn over the coming days.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Muswellbrook here