Blue Diamond Stakes day at Caulfield is one of a handful of race days in this country to contain three or more Group One races, but occurring as it so often does early in the year, it seems less celebrated than its counterparts.
But, speaking as a Melbourne Racing Club member, I can make a case for it as one of my favourite days of the year.
Racing at the highest level in Victoria at this time of year appeals more to the purists, and I know the Caulfield members tomorrow will have the atmosphere of a Guineas day, and all in attendance will be wondering if one of the juveniles will announce themselves as a bone fide star in the main feature of the day.
The last few Blue Diamonds have been of a rich vintage considering what the winners have produced afterwards. Sepoy, Star Witness and Samaready combined for four subsequent group one wins and another four placings at the highest level.
Blue Diamond
The 2013 edition looks a race of some depth. All have run well in city black type races, with the only exception to that being Gregers, which at her only start defeated two horses that then filled the quinella in a listed race at Flemington last week.
There are two other fillies in the race yet to taste defeat in Miracles of Life and Metastasio. While most punters will have isolated Miracles of Life as a major chance, it’s Metastasio’s stablemate Guelph that is seen as the main danger, and rightly so. All three have been ultra-impressive in their respective lead-ups.
But what contrasting stories Miracles of Life and Guelph provide. It is the quintessential David and Goliath match-up.
The no-name Adelaide trainer pitched against the mighty Snowden stable. The 29-year-old female apprentice, Lauren Stojakovic, taking on Kerrin McEvoy, the rider of group one winners on the international stage for over a decade.
The aforementioned Gregers shouldn’t be discounted, even at $21 plus. Astute punters will note the trainer-jockey combination of David Hayes and Dwayne Dunn have previously combined for three Blue Diamond wins together, and have won nine between them overall.
There have been whispers that barrier one should be a concern for Miracles of Life, but I can’t see it being the case.
The history of this race suggests most of the field won’t be able to hack the high pressure nature of a rich two year old sprint, and many of her rivals will be feeling the heat by the time she needs to make a move. Runs will open up, and Miracles of Life will cut through the field like a hot knife through warm butter.
David will salute against Goliath once more for mine, and if it happens, make sure you watch the post race interview with Lauren Stojakovic. If it doesn’t cause you to break into a grin, then you don’t have a mouth.
Selections: 1. Miracles of Life; 2. Guelph; 3. Gregers; 4. Godiva Rock
Oakleigh Plate
The Oakleigh Plate has been knocking punters out of quaddies forever. It always seems to be a race that anything could win, and recent history backs this up, with 8 of the last 11 victors saluting at double figure odds.
Last year’s race saw only two lengths cover the first nine runners home, and half a dozen sets of connections were left to rue the bad luck inflicted on their respective animals, each certain that they had been denied a rightful victory.
It’s the sort of race that can be won by a superstar (Starspangledbanner, Weekend Hussler, Fastnet Rock), or by a solid group two or three horse that finally cracks it for their elusive group one win (Woorim, Eagle Falls, Swiss Ace).
In the Spirit (of Boom) of the above, the right horse seems to be the Tony Gollan-trained Queensland sprinter at around the $16 mark.
This hardy five-year-old is improving with each racing prep, and I’ve seen nothing to suggest he won’t again. He has a group one third, fourth, fifth and sixth to his name, and should have won the group two Salinger by a length and a half on Derby Day last year.
At Spirit of Boom’s last start, he ran the undefeated Barakey, a $3.50 favourite here, to half a length at the Perth galloper’s home track and gets weight relief from that run. In a race of potentially hot speed, he has the tactical versatility to sit wherever he wants, and from the dream barrier of five, Brett Prebble will be able to assess exactly where he needs to be.
Ultimately, it’s a sprint where you wouldn’t talk someone out of backing any horse in the race, but you’ll want to be going wide in the quaddie to nail the horse that might just kick everyone else out.
Selections: 1. Spirit of Boom; 2. Facile Tigre; 3. Barakey; 4. Adebisi
Futurity Stakes
The biggest star of the day is All Too Hard, and this race looks to be at his absolute mercy. Horse racing is never all too easy, but from whichever angle you tackle this event, the half-brother to Black Caviar comes out on top.
He is coming off winning the Orr Stakes with something in hand, and even though he only beat his main danger tomorrow, King Mufhasa, by 1.3 lengths, it looked more comfortable than that watching live.
All Too Hard’s brilliance suggests that he won’t necessarily be looking for further than seven furlongs, and will have plenty of sprint in his legs. Racing thrives on its superstars more than any other sport, so let’s hope that this precocious youngster continues on his way, as I think he will.
Selections: 1. All Too Hard; 2. King Mufhasa; 3. Koonoomoo; 4. Green Moon
It looks like a magnificent day of racing awaits us, with many high-quality performers in several races. I’ve got a feeling the punters will best the bookies on the day, and apart from the Oakleigh Plate, all winners will come from those well fancied in the market.
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