A number of 2011 Blue Diamond Stakes hopefuls will be given one last chance to make it into the $1 million showdown when they contest the $100,000 Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) at Flemington’s Lightning Stakes Day this Saturday February 19.
The 2011 Talindert Stakes final field features 11 promising two-year-olds including six Blue Diamond Stakes entries.
The only Talindert Stakes acceptor guaranteed a spot in the Blue Diamond Stakes field is the 12th ranked Redangelo.
The Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained Testa Rossa colt will be having their third career start on Saturday.
Last start Redangelo broke their maiden status claiming a narrow victory over Bladon in the Summer Heroes Raceday Plate (1200m) at Flemington on January 22.
Redangelo, however, has a tough test in the Talindert having drawn the far outside barrier 11 and set to carry 1kg more than last start with 57kg.
Redangelo is currently sitting around $31 in the Blue Diamond Odds.
With a first prize of $60,000 on offer, the Talindert Stakes earnings would easily move the winner into the 2011 Blue Diamond Stakes field.
Juveniles that need a win in the Talindert to move them up the Blue Diamond ballot are Anevay (20th), Covered In Class (26th), Ervbefel (27th), Isopach (equal 50th) and Almahaab (equal 50th).
Tim Martin’s well-bred Exceed And Excel filly Anevay is likely to start one of the Talindert Stakes favourites at Luxbet coming off a narrow second to One Last Dance in the Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) on January 26.
On Saturday Anevay will jump from barrier nine with Nicholas Hall in the mount as one of the 53kg lightweights of the field.
The only other filly running in this year’s Talindert is Ervbefel.
Ervbefel won on debut over 1000m at Ballarat on February 3 and will be out to win back-to-back races on Saturday, advantaging from a good barrier five draw, lightweight and jockey of the moment Craig Williams booked for the ride.
To Victorian trainer Peter Moody, who earlier in the week withdrew his top Blue Diamond Stakes hope One Last Dance, will be represented in the Talindert Stakes by Covered In Class.
Due to start from barrier four, Covered In Class is coming off a fifth place finish behind Atomic in the Listed Chairman’s Stakes (1000m).
Almahaab is the other most notable runner in Saturday’s showdown, the Redoute’s Choice colt on debut for trainer David Hayes drawn in gate three.
Stay tuned to Races.com.au for our top Talindert Stakes betting tips as well as our exclusive picks for the other feature races at Flemington this Saturday including the 2011 Lightning Stakes.
The 2011 Talindert Stakes odds will be released shortly and for the best prices make sure you have an account open with the Tabcorp-owned and trusted bookmaker Luxbet.
2011 Talindert Stakes Field, Barriers & Weights
| # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight (kg) | Hcp. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | REDANGELO | Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra | Jamie Mott | 11 | 56 | 72 |
| 2 | COVERED IN CLASS | Peter G Moody | Luke Nolen | 4 | 55 | 64 |
| 3 | CASH FOR MATT | Rick Hore-Lacy | Danny Nikolic | 7 | 55 | 61 |
| 4 | GONE SKIING | Rick Hore-Lacy | Craig Newitt | 2 | 55 | 61 |
| 5 | ALMAHAAB | David Hayes | Brad Rawiller | 3 | 55 | – |
| 6 | MISTER MILTON | Norman Waymouth | Ibrahim Gundogdu (a) | 10 | 55 | 61 |
| 7 | RESCUE MISSION (NZ) | Lee Freedman | Ben Melham | 8 | 55 | – |
| 8 | RIVERBANK | Peter Snowden | Mark Zahra | 1 | 55 | – |
| 9 | HOLLYWEIRD | Gerald Ryan | Damien Oliver | 6 | 54 | 72 |
| 10 | ANEVAY | Tim Martin | Nicholas Hall | 9 | 53 | 70 |
| 11 | ERVBEFEL | Michael Kent | Craig Williams | 5 | 53 | 64 |
