Trainer Mick Price says Samaready’s market dominance of the Blue Diamond Stakes is to be expected as his confidence grows ahead of the $1 million Caulfield feature on Saturday.
Price said the $2.10 raging TAB Sportsbet favourite’s preparation had been perfect and the final piece of the jigsaw was complete when he drew gate eight for the unbeaten filly at Tuesday’s barrier draw.
“I wanted to draw somewhere between four and about 12, so I think it is ideal,” Price said.
Seven of the last nine Blue Diamond winners have started from barriers four to nine.
Price said Samaready rounded out her preparation on Tuesday morning at Caulfield where she was unextended in breaking 23 seconds for the last 400 metres of an 800-metre track gallop with stablemate, unraced Blue Diamond fourth emergency Al Aneed.
“We are looking pretty good this year,” Price said.
“Everything has gone really well with her (Samaready).
“She’s ready to go. Bring it on.”
Blue Diamond Preview winner The Travelling Man drew barrier two and was the big market mover, firming from $12 to second favourite at $9.50.
The hopes of fancied runners Jimando and the Gai Waterhouse-trained No looking Back nosedived when they drew barriers 20 and 19 respectively in the capacity field of 16 and four emergencies.
No Looking Back eased from $9 to $12 and Jimando from $10 to $11.
David Hayes’ leading contenders General Rippa ($19 to $17), winner of the colts and geldings Blue Diamond Prelude, and debut stakeswinner Mama’s Choice (unchanged at $17) drew gates five and 12 respectably.
Hayes also trains second emergency Mrs Gray who has barrier 15 and is $51.
Late entry Formidable drew barrier three and firmed from $17 to $15 while Peter Snowden-trained stablemates Rusambo ($17 to $19) and Applegate $21 to $19 drew barriers 16 and one respectively.
Samaready won her debut when beating Mrs Gray at Flemington on December 17 but Price said she was a better filly now, underlined by her fillies Prelude win which was nearly a second quicker than the colts division.
He said Samaready deserved to be a clear favourite given the ease of her Prelude win and the evenness of the colts this season.
“If you were framing a market what else could you do,” Price said, pointing to the market gap between Samaready and rest of the field.
“I think we have got the right horse, the right gate and the right jockey (Craig Newitt).
“On race day the right things have to happen but we are really positive about her.
“She’s had a really good prep and we just have to get through another few days.
“I think the 1100-metre Prelude has brought her on a bit and she’s nice and bright.
“I can’t put forward any negatives.’
Price said he was resigned to Al Aneed ($71) not getting a run although he rates him highly, and expects him to debut at Sandown next Wednesday.
