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In breaking news ahead of Saturday’s 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield, the long-time favourite Big Sky has been scratched from the $2 million feature paving the way for Unit Five to shoot to the top of betting for the juvenile’s feature.
Big Sky was scratched from the event due to a knee issue and concerns about his action identified on the eve of the race.
The boom Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr-trained Bivouac colt was well-supported in post-acceptance markets for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) to remain undefeated with a third career win.
He was odds-on here at Caulfield last start back in late January saluting in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes by a runaway three lengths.
The gun young colt had been the headline act heading into Diamond but will now miss the race, leaving punters to reassess a wide?open edition of the two-year-olds sprint showdown.
Co-trainer Price, who claimed recent Blue Diamond victories with Samaready (2012) and Extreme Choice (2016), said the team weren’t happy with how Big Sky trotted up on Friday morning and will head straight out to the paddock.
While Big Sky had passed the Racing Victoria vet check on Thursday, by Friday morning his action “was not what it should be”, prompting the stable to withdraw him as a precaution.
Reports also note a minor knee flare?up that requires further investigation.
Big Sky’s stablemate Guest House, who Price recently suggested was a better winning chance, remains in contention as a $5 chance from a good gate three draw with Jamie Melham to ride.
The Home Affairs colt won his debut at Cranbourne in late December before racing a close first-up second to Closer To Free in the Group 3 Blue Diamond (C&G) Prelude on February 7.
New favourite in Blue Diamond betting meanwhile is the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Unit Five in from $6 to $4.80 through Ladbrokes.com.au.
Like Big Sky, Unit Five has won his opening two career starts and chases a hat-trick on Saturday.
Thomas Stockdale sticks aboard the son of Supido who races for the first time since putting a length on Tornado Valley at the Gold Coast on January 17 in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
The Prelude winning Closer To Free is next best at $7.50 to complete the double for trainer Danny O’Brien, but it is the other single-figure fancy Eternal Warrior who has been the big market mover heavily backed in from $18 to $8.50.
Prepared by Lloyd Kennewell out of Cranbourne, the Extreme Warrior colt saluted here on debut at 40/1 with a narrow Listed Merson Cooper victory last November.
He went around in the boys’ Prelude to run a close third.
He’s drawn wide out in the Group 1 field, from which he’s expected to settle back, but if the pace map works out for him he can absolutely charge home and make his presence felt when it counts.
Of the fillies looking to beat home the boys, Streisand ($10) is the best fancied with Clinton McDonad’s Blue Diamond Fillies Prelude winning daughter of Magnus looking to become the second filly in three years to do the double following on from Hayasugi (2024).
The 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes is set to run as Caulfield Race 8 at 4:15pm (AEDT) on Saturday.
Blue Diamond Stakes 2026 Odds
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1. Unit Five (10)
J: Thomas Stockdale 57kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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| Yet to taste defeat in two starts. When well in the market on debut, tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 2.5 len at Caulfield Heath Mm 2yo Classic December 20 over 1100m defeating Ko Phangan with 58kg at $2.70. Last start won by 1.1 len at Gold Coast LR Mm 2yo Classic January 17 over 1200m defeating Tornado Valley carrying 57kg at $8. Going well. Hard to fault and can go on with it. | ||
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2. Alibaba (16)
J: Craig Newitt 57kg
T: Ken & Kasey Keys |
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| Last start ran on strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 16 at Randwick in the LR Millennium on February 7 over 1100m, 0.8 len behind Fireball carrying 56.5kg at $26. The race before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a long-neck at this track LR Bd/Prev Cg January 24 over 1000m defeating Milsons Point with 56kg at $3.20. Horror show last time, can win. | ||
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3. Closer To Free (8)
J: Michael Dee 57kg
T: Danny O’brien |
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| Claiming his maiden victory on debut; won by 1.0 len at this track G3 Bd/Prel Cg February 7 over 1100m defeating Guest House carrying 57kg at $13. Won the key lead up and should only improve. | ||
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5. Guest House (3)
J: Jamie Melham 57kg
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
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| Raced twice to date. When well in the market at debut, favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 0.8 len at Cranbourne 2yo Hcp December 27 over 1000m defeating Resolutely carrying 59kg at $1.85. Second-up 2nd of 8 at this track in the G3 Bd/Prel Cg on February 7 over 1100m, 1.0 len behind Closer To Free carrying 57kg at $2.20. Needs to get things right but can win if he does. | ||
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6. Eternal Warrior (15)
J: Damian Lane 57kg
T: Lloyd Kennewell |
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| Third race start. Won on debut won by a nose at this track LR M Cooper November 29 over 1000m on a rain affected track defeating Stretan Ruler with 58kg at $41. Went for a break before returning 3rd of 8 at this track in the G3 Bd/Prel Cg on February 7 over 1100m, 1.2 len behind Closer To Free carrying 57kg at $6. Nice return, will need a pace melt up front. | ||
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7. Milsons Point (9)
J: Ben Allen 57kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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| Lining up for just third start. When well in the market at debut, won by 1.3 len at Pakenham 2yo Hcp December 13 over 1000m on a soft track defeating Tag The Bride with 59kg at $3.60. Second-up 2nd in a small field at this track in the LR Bd/Prev Cg on January 24 over 1000m, long-neck behind Alibaba with 58kg at $5. Risking. | ||
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8. Eurocanto (17)
J: Luke Currie 57kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
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| Second-up. Won on debut won by a nose at Flemington LR Maribyrnong Trl October 4 over 1000m defeating Streisand carrying 58kg at $8. Went for a spell before returning 6th of 8 at this track in the G3 Bd/Prel Cg on February 7 over 1100m, 7 len behind Closer To Free carrying 57kg at $11. Can’t have. | ||
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9. Zambales (7)
J: Jamie Mott 57kg
T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
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| Raced twice to date. When well in the market at debut, 2nd of 9 at Randwick 2yo Hcp on January 24 over 1000m, 1.4 len behind Satin Summer with 58kg at $3.60. Second-up raced on the pace when 2nd of 7 at Flemington in the LR Talindert on February 14 over 1100m, 2.75 len behind Hard Kick with 57kg at $2.30. Not hopeless. | ||
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10. Invincible Son (12)
J: William Pike 57kg
T: Robbie Griffiths |
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| Had two starts to date. At debut, 3rd of 9 at Caulfield Heath Mm 2yo Classic on December 20 over 1100m, 4 len behind Unit Five carrying 58kg at $6. Last start ran on from midfield; 2nd of 7 at this track in the G3 Chairman’s Stk on January 31 over 1000m, 3 len behind Big Sky carrying 57kg at $10. Has a bit to find. | ||
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11. Ghana’s Akan (6)
J: Ethan Brown 55kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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| Last start 2nd of 16 at Randwick in the LR Millennium on February 7 over 1100m, 0.6 len behind Fireball with 54.5kg at $17. The start before that 4th of 9 at this track in the G3 Bd/Prev F on January 24 over 1000m, 1.75 len behind Rubi’s Choice with 56kg at $7. Looks tested against this line-up. | ||
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12. Streisand (11)
J: Ben Melham 55kg
T: Clinton McDonald |
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| Third-up today. First-up 5th of 9 at this track in the G3 Bd/Prev F on January 24 over 1000m, 2.25 len behind Rubi’s Choice with 56kg at $5. Last start favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 0.8 len at this track G2 Bd/Prel F February 7 over 1100m defeating Chayan with 56kg at $3. Have the boys slightly ahead but have to respect. | ||
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14. Lady Moscato (2)
J: Jye Mcneil 55kg
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
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| Raced two times to date. At debut, 2nd of 11 at Gold Coast Mm Debut 2yo SW on January 17 over 1000m, slow going 1.4 len behind Toorak Jewel carrying 55kg at $6. Second-up tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 10 at Randwick in the LR Lonhro on February 7 over 1000m, 2.5 len behind Agrarian Girl with 54kg at $3.60. Bred to improve but will need to. | ||
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15. I Am Aria (5)
J: Craig Williams 55kg
T: Mark Walker |
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| Raced twice to date. At debut, 2nd of 9 at this track in the G3 Bd/Prev F on January 24 over 1000m, 0.8 len behind Rubi’s Choice with 56kg at $18. Second-up set the pace for much of the race 3rd of 11 at this track in the G2 Bd/Prel F on February 7 over 1100m, 1.1 len behind Streisand carrying 56kg at $7.50. Minor hope. | ||
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16. Chayan (14)
J: Lachlan Neindorf 55kg
T: Annabel & Rob Archibald |
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| Was at a huge quote at debut, 2nd of 11 at this track in the G2 Bd/Prel F on February 7 over 1100m, 0.8 len behind Streisand carrying 56kg at $51. Nice debut, will need to improve sharply. | ||
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18. Almost An Angel (13)
J: Jordan Childs 55kg
T: Robbie Griffiths |
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| Second run back. First-up after two months 5th of 11 at this track in the G2 Bd/Prel F on February 7 over 1100m, 2.5 len behind Streisand with 56kg at $21. Previously second-up 10th of 13 at this track in the LR M Cooper on November 29 over 1000m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Eternal Warrior carrying 56kg at $5.50. Not keen on her chances. | ||
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19. Tough Romance (4)
J: Harry Coffey 57kg
T: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy |
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| Was well-supported at debut, won favourite; won by 1.0 len at Pakenham 2yo Mdn-Sw January 29 over 1100m defeating Stellar Cipher carrying 58kg at $1.50. Nice type but this is a big step up. | ||
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20. Jacaranda (1)
J: Unknown 55kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
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| Raced two times to date. When well in the market at debut, won by 6 len at Seymour 2yo Mdn-Sw January 15 over 1100m defeating South Yarra Miss carrying 56kg at $2.40. Second-up 5th of 16 at Randwick in the LR Millennium on February 7 over 1100m, 1.2 len behind Fireball carrying 54.5kg at $11. Chance if she gets a run. | ||
| 4. Big Sky (5) Scratched: | ||
| 13. Torture (20) Scratched: | ||
| 17. Stretan Ruler (19) Scratched: | ||
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