Record 2018 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes Nominations

Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes 2018 nominations have closed with a record 1470 yearlings in the mix for the $1.5 million feature next Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival.

A progeny of undefeated champion sprinter Black Caviar is among the standout 2018 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes nominations taken this week. Photo: Steve Hart.

Thursday afternoon saw Racing Victoria receive a bumper list of early entries heading towards the $1.5 million Group 1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield Racecourse on February 24, numbers up from 1381 at this stage the season prior.

“It’s very pleasing that the 2018 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes has recorded the highest number of entries in the race’s history,” Melbourne Racing Club General Manager of Racing Jake Norton said.

“It demonstrates just how important the race has become to the Australasian racing and breeding industries.

“The past few Diamonds have produced some classic duels and unearthed future stars of the Australian turf, so we look forward to the build-up to another great contest in February.”

One of the standout yearlings getting plenty of early attention is Prince Of Caviar, the Hawkes Racing-trained Sebring colt a son of legendary mare Black Caviar.

This year’s Blue Diamond Stakes winning partnership of David & Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig head the list of nominations for the 2018 edition of the juvenile’s classic with 112 entries.

The Lindsay Park team took out the 2017 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes with star filly Catchy, while co-trainer David Hayes also boasts wins in feature with: Reaan (2008), Sleek Chassis (2007), Nadeem (2006), Canonise (1991) and Mahaasin (1990).

Leading 2018 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes Trainers

David & Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig (112)
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott (97)
Godolphin (89)
Peter & Paul Snowden (69)
Ciaron Maher (66)
Darren Weir (49)

Some very close relations to past Blue Diamond winners feature in the list of nominated yearlings for 2018.

An unnamed full-sister to Catchy prepared by Hawkes Racing is in the hunt for the 2018 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond victory, while Vinery Stud have nominated for a daughter of All Too Hard who is the first progeny of the 2012 champion Samaready.

Sydney’s Gai Waterhouse remains in the hunt for her first Blue Diamond Stakes trophy nominating for 97 juveniles that she trains in partnership with her former racing manager Adrian Bott.

The powerhouse Godolphin stable are also well-represented with 89 entries, followed by Snowden Racing with 69.

Peter Snowden prepared Sepoy for a 2011 Blue Diamond Stakes win and also saddled-up the hot favourite Earthquake who saluted in 2014 when the head trainer for the then Darley Australia operation.

Since entering into a partnership with his son Paul, Snowden added a third win in the premier two-years-old race in Victoria with the success of Pride Of Dubai in 2015.

One of the best early picks from the Snowden stable is a Redoute’s Choice colt out of a half-brother to Pariah Secluded who fetched $2.5 million at this year’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

Another expensive yearling in the mix is the Bjorn Baker-trained Dundeel colt that connections paid $900,000 for at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale whose dam is five-time Group 1 winner Miss Finland.

Also boasting a generous number of Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes hopefuls are reigning Caulfield Cup winning trainer Ciaron Maher with 66 and record-breaking Victorian horseman Darren Weir with 49.

The leading sire with 83 progeny heading towards the Group 1 is again Snitzel, followed by one of his own progeny I Am Invincible (78) and Fastnet Rock (49) who sired the reigning champion Catchy.