*Update: Jukebox out of 2017 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes Field – Take #4 Pariah for third behind #11 Catchy and #7 Cao Cao 

The top two-year-olds in the country face off at Caulfield Racecourse this weekend in the 2017 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes, betting tips for the autumn Group 1 found below.

Jukebox is the Races.com.au 2017 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes betting tip to win. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

A below capacity field is now set to run in Caulfield Race 7 at 4:10pm (AEDT) after the early scratching of #14 Spoils (17) and the rails-drawn #2 Azazel (1) from the $1.5 million Group 1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m).

Of the 15 remaining hopefuls the favourite in the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au is Catchy who has sat at a steady quote of $5 despite her wide barrier (13 now into 12).

Nadeem (2006) was the last Blue Diamond Stakes winner to jump from barrier 12 and he was also the third of trainer David Hayes’ current record of five victories in the classic.

Hayes is a co-trainer of Catchy, prepared by the Lindsay Park team that also includes his son Ben Hayes and nephew Tom Dabernig.

The daughter of Fastnet Rock is undefeated with three wins on the record so far including the Group 2 Blue Diamond Fillies Prelude (1100m) last start.

That formline has certainly held up in recent editions of the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes, but the wide alley is a big question in a race full of genuine young contenders.

It is a close affair in Blue Diamond Stakes betting this season with a further five runners also at single-figures for the win including the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Pariah and Hayes’ market mover Tulip ($6.50) to be ridden by Damien Oliver.

Throw into the mix the likes of the Colts & Geldings Prelude winner Property ($7.50) with the ‘Magic Man’ Joao Moreira aboard and a $51 roughie Cao Cao for last year’s winning trainer Mick Price and the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes title could go to anything.

Earlier in the week we published our exclusive 2017 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes Form Guide & Betting Preview and based on the facts and stats uncovered, we’ve got the Blue Diamond Stakes best bets below.

1^st

#3 Jukebox ($8)

This is one of the best editions of the juveniles’ feature in many years and there is value to be had. Ciaron Maher chases his first win in the race and brings his undefeated Snitzel colt Jukebox in. There have been rumours about a scratching with the up-and-comer “lame”, but Maher is steadfast that it is just the way this horse runs. If that’s the case, it has worked a treat so far with two wins including the two length success in the Inglis Premier over the Blue Diamond Stakes track (Caulfield) and distance (1200m) on February 4. One of the only ones proven at the metres, gets a gun run from barrier three and Luke Nolen is in the saddle. Plenty of boxes ticked.

2^nd

#11 Catchy ($5)

Even from the wide alley, this smart filly is hard to leave out based on her excellent lead-up form. The 1200m looks a non-issue after she finished off the Prelude win running through the line. She’ll appreciate the step-up in distance and with the right run from Craig Williams, she’ll be able to settle just off them and close hard again. Has the powerful finish to give them something to chase home.

3^rd

#7 Cao Cao ($51)

Way overs is this forgotten Fastnet Rock colt for Price, who ran the Blue Diamond Stakes quinella last autumn with Extreme Choice and Flying Artie. A Moonee Valley winner by nearly three lengths in late November after a second to Aspect at Flemington in a Melbourne Cup Carnival Group 3 on debut, Cao Cao is out to improve on his Prelude sixth. Beaten four lengths that day by many of the same rivals he is up against here, but think second-up he is the improver getting fitter and set for a lovely run from the inside alley now.

Get behind our exclusive Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes 2017 betting tips online now at Ladbrokes.com.au – enjoying Enhanced Odds on the entire field (Max Bet $100 / T&Cs apply).