On Saturday the coveted $1million Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) will be the highlight event in an action packed day of racing at Melbourne’s Caulfield Racecourse.
This year the Blue Diamond Stakes will be contested by fifteen sensational two-year-olds all vying for the esteemed title of 2010 Blue Diamond Stakes winner, setting themselves up as the most exciting and promising young thoroughbred in the country.
There was originally a capacity field of 16 engaged for the race but the Leon Corstens-trained Tricky Tricky was scratched from the race. The scratching of Tricky Tricky sees the Robbie Laing-trained She’s Got Gears move into the coveted barrier one.
Beneteau will start the race as the warm favourite following his impressive Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) win on February 6. He is currently at odds of $3.30 with Sportsbet. The unbeaten colt, trained by Paul Messara, will start from barrier eight as he aims for his third successive win.
Sharing second favouritism are Star Witness and Psychologist at $7.50.
The Danny O’Brien-trained Star Witness is another unbeaten colt having won his two career starts but has drawn wide on Saturday and will start from barrier 14.
Psychologist, trained by Tony Vasil, is the top rated filly of the field following her winning debut in the Blue Diamond Prelude (F). Psychologist has also drawn poorly and will start on the far outside in barrier 15.
The stocks of the Peter Snowden-trained Secession further increased with the scratching of Tricky Tricky, the Merson Cooper Stakes winning son of Lonhro now starting from barrier four in the Blue Diamond with Kerrin McEvoy aboard.
There are an incredible six other group status races held on the day including the $400, 000 Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) where the Peter Moody-trained Wanted aims for that elusive Group 1 win.
Other highlights at the meeting are the $200, 000 Group 2 St George Stakes (1800m) contested by a star-studded field including Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, Heart Of Dreams and the Bart Cummings-trained Viewed; and the $180, 000 Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) where David Hayes’ top filly Irish Lights comes up against the likes of No Evidence Needed and the Greg Eurell-trained Misty Blue.
There are also two quality Group 3 races run as part of the programme, the $125, 000 Carlyon Cup (1400m) and the $125, 000 Mannerism Stakes (1400m).
More information and all the latest news on the 2010 Blue Diamond Stakes can be found by clicking on the race name.
The Arrowfield Stud Blue Diamond Stakes is scheduled as race seven and is due to commence at 4:00pm (EST).
2010 Blue Diamond Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw:
No. |
Horse |
Trainer |
Jockey |
Br. |
Weight (kg) |
| 1 |
GENERAL TRUCE |
Ricky Maund | Andrew Mallyon | 13 | 55.5 |
| 2 |
STAR WITNESS |
Danny O’Brien | Nicholas Hall | 14 | 55.5 |
| 3 |
BENETEAU |
Paul Messara | Daniel Ganderton | 8 | 55.5 |
| 4 |
SECESSION |
Peter Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 4 | 55.5 |
| 5 |
BIT OF A DUDE |
Stuart Gower | Michael Hoppo | 7 | 55.5 |
| 6 |
SPIRIT CENT |
John Leek Jnr. | Michelle Payne | 12 | 55.5 |
| 7 |
LEGALISTIC |
David Hayes | Brad Rawiller | 11 | 55.5 |
| 8 |
SHE’S GOT GEARS |
Robbie Lang | Craig Williams | 1 | 53.5 |
| 9 |
SWEET CHEEKS |
John McArdle | Damien Oliver | 3 | 53.5 |
| 10 |
CRYSTAL LILY |
M Ellerton & S Zahra | Chris Symons | 10 | 53.5 |
| 11 |
ROULETTES |
M, W & J Hawkes | Steven King | 2 | 53.5 |
| 12 |
PSYCHOLOGIST |
Tony Vasil | Mark Zahra | 15 | 53.5 |
| 13 |
SHAAHEQ |
David Hayes | Danny Nikolic | 5 | 53.5 |
| 14 |
EVIDENTIA |
David Hayes | Brett Prebble | 6 | 53.5 |
| 15 |
WILLOW CREEK |
Peter G Moody | Luke Nolen | 9 | 53.5 |
Caulfield Race Programme – Saturday February 20, 2010:
Race # |
Race Name |
Status |
Stakes |
Distance |
Time (EST) |
| 1 | Luxury Preferred Handicap | – | $70, 000 | 1100m | 12:15pm |
| 2 | Clamms Seafood Classic | – | $70, 000 | 1200m | 12:50pm |
| 3 | Rokk Ebony Carlyon Cup | Gr.3 | $125, 000 | 1400m | 1:30pm |
| 4 | BMW Angus Armanasco Stakes | Gr.2 | $180, 000 | 1400m | 2:05pm |
| 5 | D’urban Stakes | Gr.2 | $180, 000 | 1400m | 2:40pm |
| 6 | Pure Blonde St George Stakes | Gr.2 | $200, 000 | 1800m | 3:20pm |
| 7 | Arrowfield Stud Blue Diamond Stakes | Gr.1 | $1,000,000 | 1200m | 4:00pm |
| 8 | Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate | Gr.1 | $400,000 | 1100m | 4:40pm |
| 9 | TBV Mannerism Stakes | Gr.3 | $125, 000 | 1400m | 5:20pm |
