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Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators

Four-year-old Orlando Blue, unplaced at his first three appearances after a spell, bounced back to form with a solid win in the 2536m Happy 50TH John Ramage Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Starting favourite at $1.80, Orlando Blue was bounced straight to the front from barrier two by Stuart McDonald and was untroubled to set a modest pace and win by just over a length from $101 outsider One For Dave Andme, who ran home solidly from sixth on the pegs at the bell.

The win was the first leg of a training double for Michael Young, who prepared Plutorium for his win in the following event.

“Orlando Blue hasn’t come back after a spell as good as he was during his previous preparation, and that explains his three unplaced runs,” said Young. “His runs during his previous preparation, when he wasn’t winning, were brilliant against decent horses. He is not a slouch when he’s right, and he has led and beaten horses like Finvarra.

“There is no reason now why he has been a bit ordinary recently and is not quite right. I’m not sure that he has turned the corner; he just found the right race tonight. However, on Tuesday I know he stopped a bit (when fifth behind Sahara Storm), but he had run 27.7sec. down the back on a cold, windy and wet night.

“That said to me that if he led tonight and got his own way in front there was a 27.7sec. there for him if he needed it. Hopefully, he can get back to somewhere near his best form because he’s probably a fringe Golden Nugget horse.” Orlando Blue has raced 31 times for eight wins, nine placings and stakes of $79,501.