Australia’s Blue Diamond Stakes Preview for 1/22/2014

 

 

 

 

 

by Grant Davies

This weekend coming will see the first time the real prospects for the 2014 $1,000,000 Sportingbet Blue Diamond all step out onto the Caulfield turf to stake their claim for a place in the prestigious 2YR old classic.

Both the Fillies and Colts will be split into their respective divisions for the ‘Previews’ that are held over the 1000m journey, ultimately a furlong shorter than the actual 1200m of the Blue Diamond, but nonetheless, a starting point for all of us to see who really is a contender.

Peter Snowden will be aiming to boost his Blue Diamond Stakes chances when he saddles up three youngsters in the Blue Diamond Previews at Caulfield on Saturday. Snowden has already provided the wagering favorite for the Group 1 at Caulfield on February 22 in the form his smart filly Earthquake who scored by two and a half lengths win on debut over 1000m at Randwick on November 9. She will have a barrier trial on the 30^th January then run in the Blue Diamond Prelude over 1100m on Feb 8^th as her preparation.

His other contenders in the betting will be Domesday filly Sakitto, who will be having her third race start when she lines up in the Fillies division after recording two midweek seconds at Caulfield on December 11 and January 15. Exceed And Excel colt Mohave is resuming in the Colts division after finishing second to the Gai Waterhouse trained Law at his only race start in the Listed $100,000 NSW Thoroughbred Breeders’ Plate (1000m) at Randwick on October 5. And finally, Snowden will also saddle up a first starter named Elevates, a colt by New Approach out of Altitudes.

Paul Snowden, Peters son, who is responsible for the Melbourne division of the stable, was very impressed with Mohave’s performance in a jump out at Flemington last Friday and expects the colt to make his presence felt on Saturday and then go onto to be a true contender in the Blue Diamond Stakes.

Earthquake is currently the $3.80 betting favorite for the Blue Diamond Stakes ahead of the Gerald Ryan unraced Rubick at $6.50.

The Gerald Ryan trained Rubick has not been seen under race conditions yet, but looked extremely handy after winning a 900m Rosehill barrier trial by seven and a quarter lengths on January 7.

Like all trial watchers, Ryan was very impressed with the Encosta De Lago colt’s trial performance but would also like to see him reproduce that on race day to certify his high opinion of the youngster. Ryan has held a high opinon of the colt from early days and rates him up with one his stable stars, Group 1 winning Snitzel.

And let’s not forget the first lady of Australian racing, Gai Waterhouse! She has Fighting Sun at $11. The striking sun of Northern Meteor has only been seen once for a commanding victory at Rosehill on the 4^th January this year, where he defeated promising Victorian youngster Boomwaa.

The weekend promises to give us a lot more indication of how everyone is travelling and may even provide us with some new contenders we had not considered yet.