Mick Price says champion jockey Damien Oliver is leaning towards Extreme Choice as his Blue Diamond ride.

Oliver rides Extreme Choice’s stablemate Flying Artie in Saturday’s colts and geldings Prelude at Caulfield.

He rode the Price-trained Extreme Choice to a convincing win in the Chairman’s Stakes last Saturday, a victory which saw the colt firm to clear-cut Diamond favouritism.

“I don’t know that for a fact, but that’s my feel,” Price said when asked which way Oliver is leaning.

Should Oliver opt for Extreme Choice in the Blue Diamond on February 27, Craig Newitt is in the box seat to ride Flying Artie.

Flying Artie will be out to press his Diamond claims in Saturday’s 1100m Prelude but Price admits the outside gate makes the task a difficult one.

Oliver said Extreme Choice and Flying Artie were both exciting horses.

“Extreme Choice has done it under race pressure so we know how quick and how good he is,” the jockey said.

“Flying Artie is showing all the good signs on the track and we’re expecting a good race from him on Saturday as well.

“He did come up with an awkward draw in barrier 16 so that’s going to make the task a little bit trickier but we’ll get a good guide to see where he’s at against some quality opposition.”

Asked if he was expecting a tough decision after the weekend, Oliver replied: “I don’t know, to be honest.

“It all depends on how Flying Artie goes.”

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au