The Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) field features current Luxbet favourite for the $1 million Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 25, Malasun ($6), as well as three others inside the top 11 in the betting.

Caulfield Race 2 – the $125,000 Group 3 Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Prelude Colts & Geldings (1100m), on the other hand, looks a weaker affair with the shortest-priced of the Blue Diamond chances in the eight-horse field being Cambiaso at $21 through Luxbet.

Drawn in barrier three for Saturday with James Winks booked for the ride, Danny O’Brien’s More Than Ready colt out of Flying Spur mare Flying Alpha has had two career starts to date including a black-type win.

On debut at Flemington last October Cambiaso won the Listed Superracing Stakes (1000m) before being sent for a spell.

They resumed at Caulfield on January 26 finishing fourth to The Travelling Man in the Blue Diamond Preview and currently the $4.60 second favourite through Luxbet to win Saturday’s BD Prelude.

Favourite in the Caulfield race odds for this weekend’s event is the Peter Snowden-trained Rusambo at a quote of $3.10, and at $21 along with Cambiaso for the Blue Diamond Stakes.

Rusambo, a son of last year’s Blue Diamond Stakes – Golden Slipper winner Sepoy’s sire Elusive Quality, was twice placed from two starts in Sydney last year and will be out to break their maiden status on Saturday.

On debut they finished third to Gai Waterhouse’s 2012 Golden Slipper-bound Pierro in the Listed Thoroughbred Breeders Plate (1000m) and then ran second to Amorino in over 1000m at Randwick.

Although they are yet to prove themselves, Snowden is hopeful Rusambo can emerge a genuine Blue Diamond Stakes contender.

“Those blokes (Sepoy and Helmet) just came out of the blue last season so you never know,” Snowden said.

“The gap is pretty wide for the next one but we’re hoping.

“I’m lucky enough to have a lot of two-year-olds to try this year and hopefully something is as good as those two (Sepoy and Helmet).”

Two other Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts & Geldings) acceptors are currently at single-figures to win on the weekend with two-time stakes placegetter Andre Roo Hoo ($4.80 Luxbet) and Peter Moody’s Exceed And Excel colt Planet Voyage ($6 Luxbet) who ran third to Jimando in the Listed Inglis Debutants Stakes (1000m) on debut in October.

Now is the time to back your selections for the end-of-month Blue Diamond Stakes through Luxbet before the futures markets go through another shake-up to reflect the Prelude race results.

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2012 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts & Geldings) Field & Barriers

Caulfield Race 2 – 1:25pm (VIC time) – 11/02/2012

*Odds are Fixed Win from Luxbet and subject to change

After winning her debut at Flemington over 1000m on January 14, Strada filly Formidable boosted her career prize money to over three-times that of her moderate $20,000 purchase price when she finished an eye-catching second behind Mama’s Choice in the Listed Chairman’s Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield last Saturday.

With the win the David Hayes-trained Mama’s Choice had her Luxbet futures price for the $1 million Group 1 Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), running on February 25, slashed to $9.

Formidable, however, is not currently listed in the 2012 Blue Diamond Stakes entries or odds.

Not yet nominated for the famous Caulfield classic, owners Barry and Midge Griffiths will need to fork out a hefty $55,000 late entry fee by February 21^st to get Formidable into the race.

The two-year-old may get the chance to prove her Blue Diamond potential this Saturday when she faces a crack field in the $125,000 Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies), which runs over 1100m as one of eight stakes races on the CF Orr Stakes Day card.

“Everything is a bit up in the air at the moment about running Saturday but whether she runs or not I think she is worthy of a start in the Blue Diamond,” co-trainer Zahra said.

“If there was a Sepoy around you probably wouldn’t pay the $55,000 (late entry) but in every two-year-old race there has been a new winner.

“We have spoken to Barry about it and it is not often you get a chance to run in the Blue Diamond and I don’t think he has ever had a runner in the race.

“It is a lot of money to pay up but if she can finish in the first three she is stakes-placed, gets the prize money and a bit later on he can sell her for whatever he wants.

“If she could draw a gate in the Diamond she has got to be thereabouts.”

Formidable remains the only Blue Diamond hope for Ellerton & Zahra after the promising Sweet Little Lies pulled up shin sore following her disappointing fourth to Malasun in the BD Preview on January 26.

The Blue Diamond Fillies Prelude nominations taken on Monday are certainly imposing featuring the likes of current Blue Diamond futures favourite Malasun ($6 Luxbet), the Peter Snowden-trained Melbourne Cup Day winner Applegate, Anthony Cummings’ Inglis Banner – Inglis Nursery double winner Diamond Earth, Patinack Farm’s Group 3 champ Real Stolle and BD Preview runner-up Members Joy.

The colts and geldings’ edition of the Blue Diamond Prelude also runs at Caulfield this Saturday with early entries including the Peter Snowden-trained Rusambo, Danny O’Brien’s stakes winning colt Cambiaso and the Robbie Laing-trained Andre Roo Hoo.

Caulfield race fields for all of this weekend’s features are due out on Wednesday and will be published right here at Races.com.au.

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Viking Hero will represent Michael Moroney in the 2012 Hobart Cup this Sunday

Won last year by Sydney raider Bid Spotter, this year’s edition of the $225,000 Group 3 AAMI Hobart Cup (2200m) is shaping up as a super clash by a number of strong interstate visitors and Tasmania’s ace staying types.

Topweight of the field with 59kg and Dwayne Dunn engaged for the ride is the Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes-trained Rainbow Styling out for back-to-back wins for the Sydney stayers.

Drawn on the rails in barrier one veteran Zabeel seven-year-old Rainbow Styling showed they still had wins up their sleeve taking out an 1800m handicap at Caulfield last-start on January 26 when carrying 58.5kg.

That victory broke a lengthy winning drought for the horse whose other most recent turf triumph was in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) also at Caulfield back in September of 2010.

Rainbow Styling is one of three other last-start winners engaged in the Hobart Cup 2012 field.

The other most notable galloper coming off a win is John Luttrell’s local hopeful Geegees Blackflash who will go out as the 58.5kg second top-weight with Peter Mertens aboard.

The Clangalang five-year-old has been in flying form of late winning all four of their spring – summer starts to date.

Their purple patch has included a stakes victory in the Listed Kevin Sharkie Stakes (1600m) at Hobart on December 27, and most recently their brilliant six length Summer Cup (2100m) win carrying 60kg.

Dropping back in weight, and seeking their third win from as many starts at Hobart, Geegees Blackflash is likely to open at the top of the Hobart Cup odds at Luxbet when markets are released shortly.

“We thought that he would get 58 or 58.5kg,” Luttrell said.

“He carried 60kg last start so the weight he got is fair enough.

“I think we can still win the race.”

The other gallopers seeking back-to-back victories are the Patrick Payne-trained Victorian stayer Fieldmaster to be ridden by Michelle Payne from gate two, and the Gary White-trained Wynyard Cup winner Mr Isaac in barrier three with Michael Walker engaged for the ride.

Black Minnaloushe five-year-old Fieldmaster made a brilliant start to their Tassie raid last Sunday when they scored a tidy one and three quarter length victory over fellow Hobart Cup acceptor Dream Flyer, prepared by local horseman Troy Blacker, with the Danny O’Brien-trained Savabeel mare Placement at close third.

It is a genuine field full of ace chances for this year’s Hobart Cup with other notable horses including the Shaune Ritchie-trained Kiwi Roi D’Jeu coming off a close second in a Group 3 over 2000m in New Zealand on January 21, and Michael Moroney’s last-start Victoria Handicap runner-up Viking Hero, Moroney opting not to accept original topweight Drunken Sailor.

On the 54kg minimum with Damien Oliver aboard, Viking Hero will jump from barrier nine of 10.

“He’s had three starts this preparation and he’s spot on going into the race,” Moroney’s stable manager Anthony Feroce said of Viking Hero.

Stay tuned to Races.com.au throughout the coming weeks for all the latest Tassie racing news and betting updates.

In the meantime, get ready to back your Hobart Cup picks at the best prices by signing up with Luxbet today and enjoy a $400 bonus welcome bet when you deposit and quote the codeword BONUSBET!

2012 Hobart Cup Final Field & Barrier Draw

Hobart – 12/02/2012

The Savoire Vivre gelding went out as a $18.50 outsider in the betting for the $100,000 Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m) despite the three-year-old’s impressive five length victory at Ararat over 2000m last-start on January 16.

Ridden by New Zealand-born hoop Jarrod Todd, Methuselah never looked threatened when leading all-the-way to put three lengths on the favourite Barysh Quest ($2.80) who finished second just a nose ahead of their third-placed stablemate, the fellow Gary White-trained Colonial Gold ($50.30) making for a juicy paying Tasmanian Derby Trifeca.

It was the culmination of a long-term assignment McArdle had set Methuselah on after securing them for $30,000 at the 2010 Magic Millions Tasmanian Select Yearling Sales.

“Ever since we bought him I’ve had the Tasmanian Derby in mind but it’s the way he’s gone this time in with two wins from his previous four starts and especially his win at Ararat confirmed it,” McArdle explained.

“It’s always a bit special winning a stakes race and this horse is a genuine stayer.

“He was given the perfect ride by Jarrod from an awkward barrier (9 of 10) and was strong to the line.”

The progressive youngster’s next major assignment will be in the $200,000 Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington on April 25 during the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival.

“I will give him a break for now and get him ready for some future staying races,” McArdle said.

“A race like the St Leger at Flemington on Anzac Day or the South Australian Derby may suit him, he’s got stayer written all over him.”

The $350,000 Group 1 SA Derby (2500m) runs at Morphettville on May 5.

In other Tasmanian race results from Sunday the Patrick Payne-trained Fieldmaster proved their potential for this weekend’s Group 3 Hobart Cup with a smart one and three-quarter length win over Dream Flyer in the $50,000 Jockey Club Cup (2100m).

The previously unraced Stratum colt Bush Aviator then won another one of the day’s three black-type features, the Victorian raider from Danny O’Brien’s Flemington stables saluting for the punters in the $100,000 Motors Elwick 2YO Stakes (1100m) when scoring an easy two and a quarter length victory over Testa Gee Gee ($17.90).

The meeting came to a close with the $150,000 Group 3 Bow Mistress Trophy (1200m), defending champ and local hero Lady Lynette ($2.30F) going down as the beaten favourite by two lengths to Leon Well’s up-and-coming Telesto mare Rebel Bride.

Rebel Bride has now won five on the trot.

Stay tuned to Races.com.au over the coming weeks for all the latest Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival news, including the final field for this Sunday’s Hobart Cup 2012.

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2012 Tasmanian Derby Results & Finishing Order

Hobart Race 8 – 05/02/2012

Running as Race 4 of 10, the 2012 Jockey Club Cup field features nine stayers, five of which were among the 20 nominations taken for Sunday week’s $225,000 Group 3 AAMI Hobart Cup (2200m) on Tuesday.

The 2012 Hobart Cup entries that will have their lead-up in the Jockey Club Cup this Sunday are:

• #1 Alexander Of Hales (Barrier 4) – Former Chris Waller-trained import debuts in Tasmania for new trainer Julie Richards, drawn nicely and connections will be hoping for improvement from the veteran nine-year-old who ran 13^th to Straight Albert last start in the Gosford Cup
• #5 Dream Flyer (Barrier 9) – One of the best local hopes heading towards the Hobart Cup, Troy Blacker’s Savoire Vivre five-year-old claimed the Davenport Cup (1800m) last time out but sees the 2100m for the first time
• #7 Fieldmaster (Barrier 5) – Patrick Payne-trained interstate raider running in the Apple Isle for the first time, should improve on their last-start fifth at Camperdown as they step up to a more suitable distance, would appreciate some rain between now and Sunday to take the sting out of the ground as they are a known wet-track performer
• #8 Jay Bee’s Gee Gee (Barrier 3) – Popular Stuart Gandy-trained four-year-old has been in flying form this summer, ran third in the Tasmanian Derby on this day 12 months ago
• #9 Placement (Barrier 1) – Super-consistent Savabeel mare from the Flemington stables of Danny O’Brien, ran third in the 2010 Crown Oaks and although looks a bit off Group 1 class now, is suited to the distance and not without claims

The Jockey Club Cup result could have a huge impact on the upcoming Hobart Cup odds, so stay tuned to Races.com.au to view the results.

See below for Sunday’s full race field, then head to Luxbet to back your favourites in Tassie at the best prices.

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2012 Jockey Club Cup Final Field & Barrier Draw

Hobart Race 4 – 05/02/2012

One of Tassie’s premier races for three-year-olds, the $100,000 Listed Schweppes Tasmanian Derby (2200m) has this year drawn a final field of 10 gallopers.

Incredibly half of the horses in the 2012 Tasmanian Derby field come off a last-start win with:

• #2 Barysh Quest (Gary White) – Due to be ridden by ace hoop Craig Newitt from barrier two, this West Quest gelding was last seen winning the Listed Hobart Guineas by an easy two and a half lengths on January 22, before that they went down just a long-neck when second to Moving Money in the Listed Tasmanain Guineas (1600m) at Launceston, likely to open the favourite at Luxbet and hard to go past looking at their progression
• #3 Rollerball (Robert Smerdon) – Smart Victorian raider has Mark Zahra engaged for the ride and the inside alley, this son of O’Reilly is out for their third win on the trot following back-to-back wins at Ballarat and Moonee Valley respectively over the mile last month
• #7 Methuselah (John McArdle) – Out wider in barrier nine but plenty of ground to overcome, this Mornington galloper took out a 2000m race at Ararat by a breezy five lengths after overcoming barrier 13 and 58kg last start
• #8 Talaq Downs (Carlie Googin & Luella Meaburn) – Local hope bounced back from some disappointing form over the past month to win a 1650m race at Devonport on January 29, distance might be too much for them
• #10 Magnum (John P Thompson) – This Starcraft gelding from Sydney broke their maiden status last time out at Wangaratta over 2000m, see a notable class rise here but distance should suit

It is a genuine field full of top chances on Sunday with other notable Tasmanian Derby hopes including the Anthony Freedman-trained Caravaggio who won three on the trot before their last-start second in the Hobart Guineas, Patrick Payne’s Delgao Brom gelding Jarss Act coming off a fifth in the Hobart Guineas, and the Danny O’Brien-trained Savabeel colt Charting who is yet to win from seven starts in and around Melbourne.

The other major event on the Hobart race card this Sunday will be the $150,000 Group 3 Bow Mistress Trophy (1200m), the fillies and mares feature bringing the meeting to a close as Race 10.

All the Hobart racing odds for this weekend will be up at Luxbet shortly, so make sure you have an account open with this Tabcorp-owned and trusted online bookie.

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2012 Tasmanian Derby Final Field & Barrier Draw

Hobart Race 8 – 05/02/2012

Due to jump as Hobart Race 6 at 2:50pm (TAS time), the $100,000 Listed Elwick 2YO Stakes (1100m) has this year drawn a final field of 10 hopeful juveniles.

The Danny O’Brien-trained Stratum colt from Victoria Bush Aviator is the only horse in the Elwick Stakes field that is unraced, all nine of their rivals having had previous experience under race conditions.

Bush Aviator could still be a no show in Tassie, however, having also been nominated for a number of Victorian races this Saturday.

There are also seven horses with a race win on their record already, including two unbeaten juveniles.

Kenjorwood, drawn ideally in barrier two for Sunday, enjoyed a narrow win on debut at Launceston over 1100m last November and race for the first time since.

Also out to retain their undefeated status is the John Keys-trained Volcanic Sky on the rails in barrier one, the Nadeem filly having taken out a 940m race at Hobart on January 15.

Tommy Young’s progressive filly Bachelor Babe in gate three is the best-tried of the Elwick Stakes hopefuls this year having had five previous runs.

Their two most recent have been their best, the daughter of Swinging Bachelor winning over 1100m at Launceston on January 4 before their devastatingly close last-start second to Gee Gee Showgirl at Hobart on January 22.

Gee Gee Showgirl is also set to contest the 2012 Elwick Stakes on Sunday, John Luttrell’s nicely-bred Show A Heart filly looking to add another Hobart win to her improving record.

Another last-start winner engaged on Sunday is the Gary White-trained Bertie’s Bells who has suffered an early blow drawing the far outside gate 10 of 10.

Other notable Elwick Stakes acceptors this year include the Terence Evans-trained Western Hero who races for the first time this season following a strong prep last time that saw them win two of their three starts, and Luttrell’s other runner Testa Gee Gee who comes off a third to their fellow Elwick Stakes accepted stablemate.

See below for the complete 2012 Motors Elwick 2YO Stakes field, barriers and jockeys.

Markets for all of the weekend’s races are due to open at our preferred online bookmaker Luxbet shortly.

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2012 Elwick 2YO Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw

Hobart Race 6 – 05/02/2012

TasRacing took 20 nominations for this year’s edition of the $225,000 Group 3 AAMI Hobart Cup (2200m), which is due to take place at Hobart Racecourse on Sunday February 12.

Of the Hobart Cup 2012 nominees, 14 are trained outside of Tasmania including two Kiwi gallopers with the Kevin Myers-trained Titch and the Shaune Ritchie-trained Roi D’Jeu.

Montjeu six-year-old Roi D’Jeu has never ventured outside of New Zealand but earned a Hobart Cup nomination after their brave second when defeated a nose by Six O’Clock News in the Group 3 Trentham Stakes (2100m) on January 21.

Bjorn Baker’s Montjeu gelding Mr Tipsy became the first Kiwi-trained galloper to contest the Hobart Cup last year, but they were unsuited to the Dead (4) track on the day and finished a well beaten 13^th.

Last year’s Hobart Cup winner was the Graeme Rogerson-trained Sydney visitor Bid Spotter, and in 2012 a plethora of interstate raiders will take on the locals again.

The top interstate chances include:

• The Michael Moroney-trained Group 3 winning Victorian Viking Hero
• Zabeel seven-year-old and last-start Caulfield winner Rainbow Styling from the Hawkes family’s Rosehill stables
• The Peter Moody-trained O’Reilly mare Power O’Raylee who has won her last five on the trot in Victoria, most recently at Moonee Valley over 2040m by four lengths last Friday night
• Danny O’Brien’s classy Savabeel mare Placement

There is also the Patrick Payne-trained Fieldmaster who touched down in Tasmania last night ahead of their Hobart Cup lead-up in the $50,000 Ingham Jockey Club Cup (2100m) at Elwick on Sunday.

“He arrived at Michael and Adam Trinder’s last night and will definitely run at Elwick,” Payne said.

“He’s a capable stayer that can handle all types of tracks but a wet track would be a bonus.

“He’s nothing special but he’s feeling well at the moment and we are very pleased with him.”

Another Jockey Club Cup-bound galloper is the former Chris Waller-trained Alexander Of Hales who has also been paid up at nomination stage for the Hobart Cup by new trainer, the Roches Beach-based Julie Richards.

The best of the seven-horse local Hobart Cup contingent looks to be John Luttrell’s in-form Geegees Blackflash.

Clangalang five-year-old Geegees Blackflash raced away to their fourth consecutive turf triumph on January 22 when beating home Norsqui in the Betfair Summer Cup (2100m) at Hobart by an emphatic six lengths with a hefty 60kg.

“The horse is flying,” Luttrell said.

“I’ve just got to look after him and keep him ticking over for a few more weeks and they’ll know he’s about in the Hobart and Launceston Cups.”

The star Tassie stayer is now almost certain to open the Hobart Cup favourite when betting on the race opens at Luxbet.

The two other most promising Tasmanian-trained Hobart Cup entries this year are then the Stuart Gandy-prepared Jay Bee’s Gee Gee and Troy Blacker’s recent Devonport Cup winner Dream Flyer.

For all the best Hobart Cup field and betting coverage bookmark us here at Races.com.au.

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2012 Hobart Cup Nominations

Hobart – 12/02/2012

Classy runner Bel Sprinter resumes at Caulfield this Saturday in the WJ Adams Stakes

One of four black types headlining the weekend’s racing action the $100,000 W.J. Adams Stakes (1000m) this year attracted 16 nominations.

No. 1 on the ballot having been allocated a hefty top weight of 60kg is classy Commands six-year-old First Command.

On January 21 the galloper held on to take out his 10^th turf triumph in Flemington’s Kensington Stakes which came on the back of a narrow third to Chasm first-up in the Doveton Stakes at Caulfield.

They will rise a full two kilos from their recent win should First Command be accepted for the WJ Adams Stakes field.

Also nominated for the WJ Adams Stakes 2012 is Kensington Stakes runner-up Decircles.

The Danny O’Brien-trained Encosta De Lago colt came within a quarter length of victory when resuming from a five and a half month spell and will have come on from the run.

Another headliner among the WJ Adams Stakes entries this year is Jason Warren’s boom horse Bel Sprinter.

The crack Bel Esprit four-year-old is set to resume racing after a four and a half month break, Bel Sprinter last seen finishing second to Lone Rock in the Group 3 Bobbie Lewis (1200m) at Flemington on September 3.

A winner of four of their five career starts to date Bel Sprinter will be out to continue their consistent strike rate on Saturday as they return to the track that saw them break through at stakes level back in August last year.

Bel Sprinter is equal 58kg second top weight for the WJ Adams along with Darwin raider Canali, the Exceed And Excel five-year-old far from disgraced when running a length away sixth to First command in the Kensington last start.

Other notable hopes include smart Adelaide mare Obsidian Dragon, the Mark Kavanagh-trained Definitely Ready, Peter Moody’s stakes winning mare Kulgrinda and Matthew Dale’s Not A Single Doubt four-year-old Unanimously coming off a win in the Listed Canterbury Classic (1100m) on January 13.

The WJ Adams Stakes is a notable lead-up race for sprinters heading towards the $350,000 Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on Blue Diamond Stakes Day, February 25.

The Caulfield race fields for Saturday are due out on Wednesday and will be published right here at Races.com.au.

Get ready to back your favourites at the hottest odds in the country by signing up with Australia’s leading online bookmaker Luxbet today.

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2012 W.J. Adams Stakes Nominations & Weights

Caulfield – 04/02/2012

Up until Thursday The Travelling Man, purchased as a yearling for NZ$80,000, was rated only a $101 roughie in the Luxbet markets for the $1 million Group 1 Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), which runs at Caulfield on February 25.

Following their one and a quarter length win in the $100,000 Listed Blue Diamond Stakes (C&G) over 1000 metres, The Travelling Man has firmed dramatically now paying $8 to win the Blue Diamond grand final through Luxbet.

They are equal odds with yesterday’s Blue Diamond Fillies Preview winner Malasun, despite winning their race in a slower 57.50 seconds, Malasun won in 57.28.

Ridden by Ben Melham, The Travelling Man ($6.50) lead all the way and was able to beat home Clinton McDonald’s second-placed No Smoken ($21) while Ricky Maund’s Timely Truce ($11) was a distant third a further three and a half lengths off.

Race favourite Cambiaso ($2.80) rounded out the first four another three-quarters of a length away, the Danny O’Brien-trained More Than Ready colt’s Blue Diamond Stakes price drifting out from $10 to $17 through Luxbet after the failure.

The Preview was The Travelling Man’s second career start following their fourth to current Blue Diamond Stakes favourite Jimando ($5 Luxbet) in the Listed Inglis Debutants Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield back on October 12 last year, and Laurie is happy to see them living up to their potential.

“He’s always shown a lot of ability,” the 31-year-old trainer said.

“He still got a little bit hot, as you could see behind the gates, but hopefully he’ll settle a bit more.

“He’s a very exciting horse.

“Some people have said to me ‘why would you go to New Zealand to buy a Mossman’, but at the end of the day, he was a cracking type and I was happy to have him.

“He was $80,000 (NZ) and it looks money well spent.”

Melham, who had the ride on The Travelling Man for the first time, also tipped the two-year-old as a definite up-and-comer to watch.

“He just got a little bit lost out there in front today,” he said.

“I didn’t really want to lead but he began brilliantly and landed there on his own steam.

“He had it steady enough for the first half and let rip with a good (final) 600 metres.”

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2012 Blue Diamond Preview (Colts & Geldings) Results

Caulfield Race 3 – 26/01/2012