Trainer Grahame Begg retains hope that his smart colt Written By can keep the winning streak going on Saturday despite a nasty 2018 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes barrier draw.

Prelude winner Written By is still a winning Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes 2018 hope despite a wide barrier for Saturday’s classic. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Gates for the capacity field contesting the Group 1 $1.5 million Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) on the weekend are now out and one of the widest-drawn gallopers out in 18 is Begg’s son of Written Tycoon, Written By.

Coming into barrier 14 if the four Blue Diamond Stakes emergencies fail to gain a start, Written By still has plenty of work to do from the alley and has eased out to $10 in the updated markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.

A winner of both of his career runs to date, the progressive chestnut was last seen saluting by a half-length at the track a fortnight back in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m).

Ridden by Jordan Childs, who retains the ride on Saturday, Written By had the outside alley to contend with (13 of 13) and was still impressive saluting first-up.

That lead-up victory has given the Pinecliffe Mt Eliza-based Begg confidence of another wide victory this weekend as his Prelude winner chases the double last completed by Sepoy (2011).

Written By also displayed good speed out of the gates on debut at Sandown-Hillside back in December when Childs rode the youngster to a length win over 1000m in the wet from barrier nine of nine.

“He likes to balance up and get into a good rhythm,” Begg told the media at the Blue Diamond Stakes barrier draw.

Barrier 14 meanwhile last produced a Blue Diamond Stakes winner the year prior when Star Witness saluted from 14 of 15 at a $10 quote.

That’s the same price on offer currently for Written By in the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes odds and success would see him become the longest-priced winner of the autumn classic in eight years.

The outside Blue Diamond Stakes barrier belongs this autumn to Native Soldier and jockey Brad Rawiller who will jump from 16 of 16 on Saturday.

A son of the 2011 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Sepoy, Native Soldier is the first ever starter in the race for trainer Darren Weir and is out to atone for a third to written by in the Prelude.

The wide alley has the youngster out to $17 in Blue Diamond Stakes markets, while the Prelude (C&G) runner-up Plague Stone is the equal $7 co-favourite with Long Leaf.

Kerrin McEvoy has been called upon to ride Long Leaf for the Lindsay Park stable, the horse one of four in the line-up for last year’s winning trainers including David Hayes who chases a seventh win in the classic.

Fastnet Rock colt Long Leaf has won all three of his career starts including a first-up Listed Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) win in late January and is out to be the first winner from a non-February lead-up since Miracles Of Life (2013).

Long Leaf is drawn barrier seven on Saturday, one on the outside of the Godolphin-raced Plague Stone (six).

Plague Stone will have Ben Melham in the saddle on Saturday after jockey Mark Zahra got a release to continue his association with last weekend’s Talindert Stakes winner Prairie Fire.

Head to Ladbrokes.com.au now for the updated Blue Diamond Stakes 2018 betting markets post-barriers and lock in your early favourites at the hottest autumn racing odds online.