Just under 200 juveniles remain in contention for one of the autumn’s feature races with Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes 2017 second acceptances taken this week.

The Lindsay Park-trained filly Catchy is early favourite of the 198 Blue Diamond Stakes 2017 second acceptors. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Held at Caulfield Racecourse on February 25, the $1.5 million Group 1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) is a key Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival attraction.

Back in November there were 686 first acceptances taken, a number cut right down to 198 at second declaration stage on Tuesday by the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC).

Well represented with 24 two-year-olds still in Blue Diamond Stakes contention is the Lindsay Park stable made up of father-and-son David & Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.

David Hayes has prepared five Blue Diamond Stakes winners since 1990 and looks in line to secure a sixth trophy with a host of top fancies in the pre-field markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Currently sharing $11 co-favouritism in the latest Blue Diamond Stakes odds are the Hayes & Dabernig-trained fillies Catchy and Tulip.

Fastnet Rock filly Catchy has won both career starts to date including a smart victory as the odds-on fancy at Caulfield over 1100m last Saturday, while nicely-bred Pierro filly Tulip won her debut at Moonee Valley on New Year’s Eve.

The fillies dominate futures Blue Diamond Stakes betting this season with yet another Lindsay Park representative Formality ($13) being kept safe in the markets by bookies.

Headlining the Blue Diamond Stakes second acceptances with 25 contenders is the Godolphin stable.

Last year’s Blue Diamond Stakes quinella was won by the Mick Price-trained duo of Extreme Choice and Flying Artie.

Local horseman Price also won the classic with Samaready in 2012 and this year he is in with 19 second acceptors including $15 shot Cao Cao.

The colt was runner-up in the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) at Flemington on Emirates Stakes Day before breaking his maiden status on November 26 by 2.75 lengths at the Valley.

Also at $15 in all-in Ladbrokes Blue Diamond odds is the Maribyrnong Plate winner Aspect for Tony McEvoy.

McEvoy has a total of ten remaining Blue Diamond Stakes hopefuls including also his recent Adelaide winning filly Roomooz.

Trainer Peter Snowden has prepared three Blue Diamond champions in the past six years including Pride Of Dubai (2015) who he trained in partnership with his son Paul.

Snowden Racing are back in 2017 with 10 remaining entries led by unraced Redoute’s Choice colt Pariah and last October’s Listed Breeders’ Plate winner Khan.

The best represented sire with 21 of his progeny looking to be the first winner for the stallion since Earthquake (2014) is Exceed And Excel.

The first of the traditional lead-up races into next month’s Group 1 sprint are the Blue Diamond Previews taking place on January 26 followed by the Blue Diamond Prelude races on February 11.

2017 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes third acceptances are open until midday (local time) on Tuesday January 31.

Late entries close on February 20 and cost connections a hefty $55,000 fee for previously un-nominated horses.

Check out the full Blue Diamond Stakes 2017 Second Acceptances by following the link and see below for the latest all-in markets provided by race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au.