The 2018 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview for colts and geldings takes place at Caulfield Racecourse on the weekend and our insider tips and updated odds on the autumn lead-up are detailed below.
Ollivander is the Races.com.au tip to win the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview 2018 for colts and geldings on Saturday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Due to jump as Race 2 at 11:30am (AEDT), Saturday’s Listed $150,000 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) 1000m sprint attracted eight two-year-olds eyeing a grand final on February 24 in the Group 1 $1.5 million Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m).
The latest Blue Diamond Colts & Geldings Preview betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au pit Run Naan and Long Leaf against each other with the undefeated duo equal $3.40 favourites.
Run Naan is drawn the rails chasing a third win from as many starts, the Tony McEvoy-trained Makfi colt last seen winning Flemington’s Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) during the Melbourne Cup Carnival in November.
Long Leaf is also two-from-two leading into Saturday’s Blue Diamond Preview, the well-bred Fastnet Rock colt representing last year’s Blue Diamond winning stable Lindsay Park.
Both of Long Leaf’s previous wins were by very narrow margins, the youngster lucky to come away with the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes (1000m) success at Ladbrokes Park last November after the runner-up Oohood missed the kick.
Outside the two top fancies the other best in Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) odds this season are Ollivander ($4) whose debut win in mid-December at the track was impressive and Invincible Lad ($6) for master trainer of juveniles Peter Snowden.
1st
#3 Ollivander ($4)
Tipping the Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra-trained Charge Forward colt to make it two-from-two following a strong 1100m victory at Caulfield over Anthemoessa in mid-December. Returns to the track / distance after a freshen-up and has impressed in a subsequent jump-out. Danger to the shorter-priced pair and better value in an open affair.
2nd
#1 Run Naan ($3.40)
Hard to knock the winning form of a McEvoy-trained juvenile. His spring was spot on and ended with a Group 3 victory, which he’ll be out to emulate here first-up. Gets things his way from the inside alley with Andrew Mallyon retaining the ride, is a winning chance again.
3rd
#4 Native Solider ($15)
Seeking a roughie for a place, this Darren Weir-trained son of Sepoy is bred for these two-year-old races and has the benefit of three previous trips to the races. He broke his maiden status last time out at Geelong on Boxing Day carrying 58.5kg to a 1.25 length win after his midfield sixth to Ollivander 10 days earlier. Over the odds.
Get behind our exclusive Blue Diamond C&G Preview 2018 tips this weekend at the best autumn racing odds online now through Ladbrokes.com.au – sponsor of the Blue Diamond race series.
