The Blue Diamond Puzzle
by Grant Davies
Back at Caulfield today, but no more pieces for the Blue Diamond puzzle for now, just some great graded stakes racing. We also get to take a look at some potential spring stayers when they compete in the Listed Sportingbet Mornington Cup Prelude.
Given that the Mornington Cup itself offers automatic entry into the Grade 1 Caulfield Cup, Australia’s second biggest staying race, the field today has some serious quality.
CAULFIELD – AUS A
RACE 4 – GRADE 3 MAL SECCULL CHAIRMAN'S STAKES 1100m $135,000(AUS)
Few stepping out for the first time here, in a graded race that says they are held in high regard, so beware. TAHNI DANCER showed a little ability in jump-out; TASHBEEH trialled pretty well in back in Oct; EQDAAM is anyone’s guess but is in the right stable and has been kept private. That aside, let’s look at those who have seen raceday! NAYELI won well on her debut in Sydney, her time was smart and she defeated Peggy Jean who was then victorious over Victorian colt Boomwaa at Randwick. ZULULAND was good to the eye on debut, charging to the line to just fail against Nordic Empire who has talent. CAUTIOUS was heavily supported first up (always a good sign) and his 3rd was good considering the first two I believe where in the better ground, the runner-up there Sakitto ran credibly in the Diamond Preview last week. ILLUSTRIOUS LAD (Loved his debut win) and BUGATTY (Ducal Castle franked his form) can jump in your multiples.
SELECTIONS – NAYELI / ILLUSTRIOUS LAD / EQDAAM
RACE 6 – GRADE 3 JOHN MOULE MANFRED STAKES 1200m $135,000(AUS)
This is a really good race. All bar HARD STRIDE who is 2nd-up are resuming here today. BULL POINT as most, resumes, and he has trialled well. He ran straight past PRINCE HARADA and FAST ‘N’ ROCKING in the Golden Rose before he was sent out for a spell. HARD STRIDE beat Tansy fresh, who then won his maiden in stunning form by 7 lengths and nearly took the track record, albeit at Stony Creek, still that place has seen some great runners in its history. FAST ‘N’ ROCKING (unpredictable in my book) was an unlucky 2nd here fresh last prep then beat PRINCE HARADA (who was resuming that day, and pretty much had no luck either) 2nd-up. THE QUARTERBACK (It is SuperBowl week in the states) is a serious talent that has to be respected. RESISTANT went well in a jump out here during the week.
SELECTIONS – THE QUARTERBACK / PRINCE HARADA / HARD STRIDE
RACE 7 – LISTED ROBERT TARANTO W.J. ADAMS STAKES 1000m $120,000(AUS)
The race here looks like it will be dominated by speed from the jump. Hard to go against LORD OF THE SKY who looked really good here beating the older horses and ran the time/sectionals of a horse that could be very good. AFRICAN PULSE as always in this scenario is definitely the danger, unbeaten fresh 5/5, distance he is 5/6 and this track and distance perfect 2/2…….can we argue with that? SHAMALWIND trialled (jump out) well but 56kg looks a bit much for me? In a tough race, best longshot may be HALLE ROCKS? Then I would have to concede that ESPRIT DE BULLET ,KISS A ROSE, VATICAN, ADAMANTIUM (Usually shows up in betting if a chance) all have claims in this.
SELECTIONS – AFRICAN PULSE / LORD OS THE SKY / SHAMALWIND
RACE 8 – LISTED SPORTINGBET MORNINGTON CUP PRELUDE 2000m $120000(AUS)
We really are lucky here today as this is another good race and has some impact for the future so its very interesting. LAIDBACK LARRY is a serious horse I think, he has impressed in his last 3 wins and most importantly, they have been good times not just big margins. PRINCE OF PENZANCE is another up and comer who was very good last start and charged home, his only go at this distance was a very impressive win. HE'S YOUR MAN did look like he had every shot last start, but I think the 2000m is going to suit even more. EPINGLE is always a danger and I think here is no exception, maybe one more for ETHIOPIA (on his day he can beat them all) and PRAIRIE STAR here must be considered, his 4th in the Grade 1 Mackinnon entitles him to that?
SELECTIONS – LAID BACK LARRY / PRINCE OF PENZANCE / HE’S YOUR MAN
Back at Caulfield today, but no more pieces for the Blue Diamond puzzle for now, just some great graded stakes racing. We also get to take a look at some potential spring stayers when they compete in the Listed Sportingbet Mornington Cup Prelude.
Given that the Mornington Cup itself offers automatic entry into the Grade 1 Caulfield Cup, Australia’s second biggest staying race, the field today has some serious quality.
CAULFIELD – AUS A
RACE 4 – GRADE 3 MAL SECCULL CHAIRMAN'S STAKES 1100m $135,000(AUS)
Few stepping out for the first time here, in a graded race that says they are held in high regard, so beware. TAHNI DANCER showed a little ability in jump-out; TASHBEEH trialled pretty well in back in Oct; EQDAAM is anyone’s guess but is in the right stable and has been kept private. That aside, let’s look at those who have seen raceday! NAYELI won well on her debut in Sydney, her time was smart and she defeated Peggy Jean who was then victorious over Victorian colt Boomwaa at Randwick. ZULULAND was good to the eye on debut, charging to the line to just fail against Nordic Empire who has talent. CAUTIOUS was heavily supported first up (always a good sign) and his 3rd was good considering the first two I believe where in the better ground, the runner-up there Sakitto ran credibly in the Diamond Preview last week. ILLUSTRIOUS LAD (Loved his debut win) and BUGATTY (Ducal Castle franked his form) can jump in your multiples.
SELECTIONS – NAYELI / ILLUSTRIOUS LAD / EQDAAM
RACE 6 – GRADE 3 JOHN MOULE MANFRED STAKES 1200m $135,000(AUS)
This is a really good race. All bar HARD STRIDE who is 2nd-up are resuming here today. BULL POINT as most, resumes, and he has trialled well. He ran straight past PRINCE HARADA and FAST ‘N’ ROCKING in the Golden Rose before he was sent out for a spell. HARD STRIDE beat Tansy fresh, who then won his maiden in stunning form by 7 lengths and nearly took the track record, albeit at Stony Creek, still that place has seen some great runners in its history. FAST ‘N’ ROCKING (unpredictable in my book) was an unlucky 2nd here fresh last prep then beat PRINCE HARADA (who was resuming that day, and pretty much had no luck either) 2nd-up. THE QUARTERBACK (It is SuperBowl week in the states) is a serious talent that has to be respected. RESISTANT went well in a jump out here during the week.
SELECTIONS – THE QUARTERBACK / PRINCE HARADA / HARD STRIDE
RACE 7 – LISTED ROBERT TARANTO W.J. ADAMS STAKES 1000m $120,000(AUS)
The race here looks like it will be dominated by speed from the jump. Hard to go against LORD OF THE SKY who looked really good here beating the older horses and ran the time/sectionals of a horse that could be very good. AFRICAN PULSE as always in this scenario is definitely the danger, unbeaten fresh 5/5, distance he is 5/6 and this track and distance perfect 2/2…….can we argue with that? SHAMALWIND trialled (jump out) well but 56kg looks a bit much for me? In a tough race, best longshot may be HALLE ROCKS? Then I would have to concede that ESPRIT DE BULLET ,KISS A ROSE, VATICAN, ADAMANTIUM (Usually shows up in betting if a chance) all have claims in this.
SELECTIONS – AFRICAN PULSE / LORD OS THE SKY / SHAMALWIND
RACE 8 – LISTED SPORTINGBET MORNINGTON CUP PRELUDE 2000m $120000(AUS)
We really are lucky here today as this is another good race and has some impact for the future so its very interesting. LAIDBACK LARRY is a serious horse I think, he has impressed in his last 3 wins and most importantly, they have been good times not just big margins. PRINCE OF PENZANCE is another up and comer who was very good last start and charged home, his only go at this distance was a very impressive win. HE'S YOUR MAN did look like he had every shot last start, but I think the 2000m is going to suit even more. EPINGLE is always a danger and I think here is no exception, maybe one more for ETHIOPIA (on his day he can beat them all) and PRAIRIE STAR here must be considered, his 4th in the Grade 1 Mackinnon entitles him to that?
SELECTIONS – LAID BACK LARRY / PRINCE OF PENZANCE / HE’S YOUR MAN
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