A promising line-up of two-year-old fillies take to the Caulfield track in Saturday’s Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes Fillies Preview 2018, betting tips and the latest odds for which are detailed below.
Jockey Mark Zahra rides the Races.com.au team’s 2018 Blue Diamond Fillies Preview tip to win Downloads on debut this weekend. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Running early on the card to avoid the Melbourne heat, the Group 3 $150,000 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for fillies jumps as Race 3 at 12:00pm (AEDT) and features 10 remaining hopefuls after the withdrawal of Secret Lady (10).
The updated Blue Diamond Fillies Preview odds at Ladbrokes.com.au list the unraced Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Pure Elation as the firming $3.20 favourite.
The grey daughter of I Am Invincible has been well-supported by the punters early to salute on debut after successive trials in Sydney during the spring and a good Werribee jump-out against some nice two-year-olds this month.
Co-trainer Peter Snowden boasts three previous Blue Diamond Stakes Group 1 victories and Pure Elation will be out to get her autumn campaign targeting the $1.5 million feature on February 24 underway in the right way this weekend.
Following closely in Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) betting this Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival at $3.70 is then the Tony McEvoy-trained Oohood.
Luke Currie is back aboard the fellow I Am Invincible filly who ran just a nose second to Long Leaf at Ladbrokes Park on debut in the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes (1000m) on debut last November.
She blew the start that day, but recent work with a barrier blanket on should see her pre-race manners in the gates improve giving her the chance to salute first-up.
It’s an open affair however with all fillies a potential winner including Lady Horseowner ($6.50) coming off a tough debut success at Moonee Valley in December, Craig Williams’ mount Crossing The Abbey ($7) who won on New Year’s Day at Flemington and McEvoy’s other chance Lake District Girl ($8) in her first race day appearance.
1st
#5 Downloads ($14)
Going for the value in the market and in a tricky race, think that could lie in this unraced and yet-to-trial daughter of Fastnet Rock. She is well-bred and prepared by Lindsay Park, who are led by six-time Blue Diamond winning trainer David Hayes. The stable won the Group 1 with gun filly Catchy last year and would not be surprised to see this one rise through the ranks. She impressed in a recent jump-out showing enormous potential and flies under the radar here. Drawn a little wide, but Mark Zahra can get the job done.
2nd
#4 Oohood ($3.70)
Tony McEvoy’s recent strike rate with the juveniles is very good and think this filly is ready to atone for the devastatingly close loss on debut last November. She’s been up against the boys and more than held her own after missing the kick, which lost her the race. Currie has been doing plenty of work on her and a recent hit-out suggested her barrier manners had improved. Barrier blanket on, she can win.
3rd
#10 Pure Elation ($3.20)
Yet to race or officially trial in Melbourne, this well-bred filly for Team Snowden is down south with the Blue Diamond Stakes in sight. The Snowdens are master trainers of two-year-olds and her winning trial last October by 2.3 lengths over Fiesta suggested big things to come. The bookies are keeping her safe and the punters have been on her since she drew barrier three. Could just come out and win.
Whether you’re backing or sacking our Blue Diamond Preview 2018 tips on the fillies’ edition this weekend in Melbourne make sure you’ve got access to the best markets and offers online through Ladbrokes.com.au.
