Races

Runner by Runner: Blue Diamond Stakes

Posted on | Posted by Warren Huntly

1. Ideas Man (56.5kg)

Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Jockey: Damian Lane
Barrier: 16

Looked good winning on debut over 1000m on Cox Plate Day on a good rated track and may have not appreciated the rain affected track when resuming over that same trip at Caulfield recently. No doubt strips fitter with that run under the belt but the step up to 1200m is some query and the barrier draw has done him no favours.

2. Hanseatic (56.5kg)

Trainer: Anthony Freedman
Jockey: Luke Currie
Barrier: 1

Clearly the dominant two year old in Melbourne this season and overcame difficulties to record another impressive victory in the Blue Diamond Prelude. At some stage he will need to obtain clear galloping room from the inside draw but he has run the quickest last 200m section in each of his three wins to date and gives every indication he will relish the step up to 1200m.

3. Rathlin (56.5kg)

Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Jockey: Ben Melham
Barrier: 11

Ran well behind Hanseatic last start after striking a bit of interference in the run home. At his only test at 1200m to date he was able to run the quickest last 200m section in the Gold Coast Magic Millions 2yo Classic. He should have derived some fitness improvement from that run and be at his top here.

4. Tanker (56.5kg)

Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Jockey: John Allen
Barrier: 12

He has pulled up with minor veterinary issues (mucus on scope) at his two most recent runs behind Hanseatic. At all his runs to date he has been a bit slowly away which has placed him at an early disadvantage and although he has the talent to be competitive he may not have developed his race smarts yet.

5. Tagaloa (56.5kg)

Trainer: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
Jockey: Michael Walker
Barrier: 4

Looked like he would improve with the run when he finished on the heels of the placegetters behind Hanseatic in the Blue Diamond Prelude last start. He is a previous second up winner and raced on the speed when recording that victory. With additional fitness and a favourable barrier draw he appeals as one of the big improvers.

6. Rulership (56.5kg)

Trainer: Peter & Paul Snowden
Jockey: Mark Zahra
Barrier: 7

Rode the speed and was only nabbed by Hanseatic in the last few strides in the Blue Diamond Prelude. He looks likely to roll across to a forward position and has no doubt been prepared to peak on Blue Diamond Day. Peter and Paul Snowden are among the nation’s best trainers at preparing horses for their Grand Final and he looks one of the hardest to beat.

7. Glenfiddich (56.5kg)

Trainer: Robbie Griffiths
Jockey: Glenn Boss
Barrier: 9

Has been chasing Hanseatic at his last three starts and has a bit of ground to make up on that galloper. Gets the services big race jockey in Glenn Boss, and although he may have had some excuses after covering a bit of ground over 1100m last start, still has to be considered a risk at 1200m.

8. Away Game (54.5kg)

Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Jockey: Jye McNeil
Barrier: 10

The Gold Coast Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner, so she has ticked the 1200m box. Kept up to the mark with a solid victory over 1100m at Randwick on the way back to Melbourne and has displayed tactical versatility in her brief career to date. Looks to have improved significantly since her debut behind Hanseatic and capable of figuring in the finish.

9. A Beautiful Night (54.5kg)

Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Jockey: Linda Meech
Barrier: 2

Controlled the race when winning the Blue Diamond Preview over 1000m two starts back and wasn’t able to gain a controlling position over 1100m in the Prelude. Drawn to secure a spot right on the speed but there is likely to be significantly more pressure than her victory two starts back.

10. Aryaaf (54.5kg)

Trainer: David & B Hayes & T Dabernig
Jockey: Luke Nolen
Barrier: 8

The form around her two runs to date has been holding up quite well through the likes of Mildred and Muntaseera and she has finished off both her runs in the manner of a horse that will be suited by the step up to 1200m. Probably needs to take her performance to another level to be a winning chance but has yet to be seen second up and is sure to strip fitter for her first up run.

11. Letzbeglam (54.5kg)

Trainer: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
Jockey: Brett Prebble
Barrier: 3

Sat three wide on a solid speed and proved far too strong in the Blue Diamond Prelude over 1100m following an all the way victory in maiden grade at Werribee. Drawn for a good run and should be further improved by that last start victory. Gives every indication she will be suited by the step up to 1200m and shapes as one of the leading filly contenders.

12. Muntaseera (54.5kg)

Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Jockey: Damien Oliver
Barrier: 13

Resumed with a solid performance behind Letzbeglam in the Blue Diamond Prelude running the quickest last 200m of the race. She didn’t have the clearest passage at a crucial stage of that race and should’ve finished closer to the winner. Her strength at the end of 1100m gives a good indication of her running out 1200m strongly and she has the services a Hall of Fame jockey Damien Oliver to offset her wide draw.

13. Personal (54.5kg)

Trainer: David & B Hayes & T Dabernig
Jockey: Craig Williams
Barrier: 5

Overcame difficulties to win in good style at Flemington just over a month ago and she has been kept up to the mark with a solid trial victory at Wodonga since that win. She wore blinkers in that trial and they have replaced winkers as part of her head gear for this race. In time she will probably be better suited over slightly longer journeys, but she should be hitting the line strongly over the 1200m.

14. Riverina Storm (54.5kg)

Trainer: David & B Hayes & T Dabernig
Jockey: Dwayne Dunn
Barrier: 6

Impressive maiden winner over 1100m on debut and then ran well without the best of luck behind Letzbeglam in the Blue Diamond Prelude over the same distance. The winkers have been applied for the Blue Diamond and the manner in which she has been finishing off her races is a strong indication she will be suited stepping up to 1200m.

15. Fayerra (54.5kg)

Trainer: Anthony Cummings
Jockey: Michael Dee
Barrier: 14

Did some work mid-race and under the circumstances there was merit in her performance behind Rulership over 1000m last start. Leading into that race she was able to run the fastest 200m of the race in maiden grade on debut over 1000m and has obvious talent. The barrier draw and the fact that she is still a maiden count against her and she looks safely held.

16. Difficult (54.5kg)

Trainer: John Moloney
Jockey: Jordan Childs
Barrier: 15

Has trialled well leading into both racing preparations to date and will be fitter for her recent first up run at Moonee Valley. However, she has been safely held and tired over the concluding stages in both runs to date and looks outclassed against this opposition.

Selection: Hanseatic

The inside barrier draw is not ideal but he has the acceleration to get himself out of trouble when needed as he has proved on more than one occasion. He has run impressive late sectionals in all his three runs to date and looks ideally suited stepping up to 1200m. The big field should ensure a strong tempo and that is likely to assist in him being able to gain the clear galloping room he will need over the concluding stages. Through the form line of his latest victory, Rulership shapes as a legitimate danger with Tagaloa a likely improver coming through the same race.

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