A full field of sixteen (plus two emergencies) will line up for the Blue Diamond Prelude for colts and geldings this Saturday at Caulfield. Among them are six individuals winners including Blue Diamond Preview winner Mohave however, all the attention will be on boom colt Rubick. He dominates the market at $1.80 with the no other runner in the race at a single figure price.
Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) Form Guide
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1. MOHAVE – D Browne (6)
Returned to racing after having ran second in the Listed Breeder’s Stakes (1000m) at Randwick in October, with a solid win in last fortnight’s Listed Blue Diamond Preview. The Exceed And Excel colt secured a lovely run just behind the speed and took full advantage of his position to record a ¾ length over Cornrow. Cant’ knock either of his efforts and should be handy again from gate six.
2. GEROMAYO – S Arnold (9)
The son of Charge Forward was chasing the lucrative Magic Million bonus money when second to Sheer Style in the Ballarat 2yo Magic Millions before finishing second again to subsequent Magic Millions winner Unencumbered in the Wyong edition. He only held is spot in the Gold Coast feature, his most recent run, and finished ninth (5.1 lengths). Hasn’t had a start since and on latest efforts, will be tested here.
3. CHIVALRY – S Baster (16)
He kicked off his career back in December as the 8/11 on favourite in a 1000m race at Flemington. The Street Cry colt closed well from midfield in the run but unfortunately for his supporters, fell a neck short, finishing second to I Am The General. He made amends at his next start a fortnight later, by registering a comfortably 1 ¾ length win in a 1000m at Moonee Valley were he defeated Bugatty. Bugatty won his next start and finished second to the smart Nayeli last week in the G3 Chairman’s Stakes (1100m). Has plenty of upside but will need to produce a very big effort to win from the widest gate.
4. RUBICK – B Avdulla (2)
An impeccably bred colt by Encosta de Lago out of G3 winning mare Sliding Cube who is a sister to Redoute’s Choice and Manhattan Rain (also by Encosta de Lago). He cost connections $460k but that price may prove to be a bargain given the ability he has shown thus far. He commenced his career in a Randwick 2yo race (1100m) a fortnight ago and even though it was only against four other rivals, the Gerald Ryan trained galloper went about his business in impressive style, registering a 2 ¾ length win class record time. Was throttled down by Avdulla with 100m to go on debut and from a good draw here, will be in the firing line throughout.
5. NOSTRADAMUS – G Boss (18)
The half brother to G1 winner and Champion 3yo of his season – Star Witness, he made a very good impression on debut when scoring a 2 ¼ length in a 1000m Flemington race. Leading throughout, the colt by Medaglia D’Oro was strong through the line. Plenty of good things in store for this bloke but does face a task here from a horrible draw.
6. DUCKWORTH – T Pannell (8)
Adelaide visitor from the Jon O’Conner stables who made it two wins from as many starts when finishing too well for Piacenza and Silent Whisper in a 2yo race at Morphettville a fortnight ago. Piacenza goes around in the fillies edition and is a $15.00 shot. Can not have done any more than what he has thus far but this is a few levels up on his last start.
7. CORNROW – D Stackhouse (13)
From a good gate, he settled on the speed when making his debut at Moonee Valley back in late October. He fought out the finish with Silversands and Donelle and finished third, only half a length away. His one run since came, in last fortnight’s Blue Diamond Preview where he got onto the eventual winner’s back rounding the turn but couldn’t haul in Mohave and finished second, ¾ in arrears. Fitter again but this is a hard race to crack his maiden status in.
8. JABALI – D Oliver (10)
A stable-mate to Cornrow and Geromayo, the Exceed And Excel colt has only had the one run for trainer Mick Price. That was the Listed Maribyrnong Trial (1000m) at Flemington in October of last year. From a wide gate, he settled a few lengths off the leading bunch and chased well to finish second to Risen From Doubt and beating home Boomwaa who finished third. We haven’t seen him since bar a barrier trial last week in which he finished third of twelve. Has drifted from $13 – $15 in early betting.
9. SILENT WHISPER – J Bowditch (1)
The I Am Invincible gelding caught the eye making up a lot of ground from well back in the run on debut at Moonee Valley behind Silversands, Donelle and Cornrow. He then started favourite in the G3 Maribyrnong Stakes but couldn’t reel in Boomwaa and finished third of nine, beaten 3.2 lengths. Freshened up for eleven weeks and returned on his home-track of Morphettville (trained by Lloyd Kennewell) where he closed well from the tail of the field in the 1000m scamper to run third again, 1.4 lengths behind winner Duckworth. He gets back in his races so doubt the inside gate will be an advantage here with a big field to navigate through.
10. MALAGUERRA – C Williams (15)
Being a well bred Magnus colt, it was no surprise to see him step out on debut in a Cranbourne maiden (1000m) just on three weeks ago as the 4/5 on favourite. Leading his five rivals throughout, he recorded a comfortable two length win. Showed natural ability last time out but will need to work a lot harder for a victory here compared to Cranbourne.
11. FRANCESCO – V Duric (3)
Was relegated to third placing after a protest was successful against him on debut, a Rosehill 2yo race eventually won by Kumaon with Cyclone third. That run came in the week before Christmas and trainer Gai Waterhouse brings the Wanted colt into this race with no further runs or trials for us to go on. Drawn well in gate three and would expect to see him in a prominent position throughout and would back him to be holding on well.
12. BERLUTTI – B Rawiller (11)
Drew gate eight in the field of ten on debut in the Blue Diamond Preview a fortnight ago and got back in the run. Was the widest on the turn and only able to make steady ground in a race and on a track, that favoured those closer to the speed. Finished sixth (2 ¾ lengths) behind Mohave and the experience and extra 100m will be to his benefit. Could be a significant improver.
13. ORUJO – L Nolen (5)
The Darley runner was sent out a short 2/1 favourite for his debut back in November, a 1000m race at this circuit. The Exceed And Excel colt was flat in the run home and only held is position, finishing fifth in the field of nine (4.2 lengths) behind Nordic Empire. Had a quiet trial at Cranbourne last week in preparation for his return and has drawn well but hard to have with any confidence.
14. UNCLE KEITHY – J Maund (4)
Dash For Cash gelding from the Ricky Maund Cranbourne stables. He made his debut a fortnight ago over in Adelaide in a Morphettville 2yo (1000m) race and found a nice position in the run form a wide gate. He wasn’t able to capitalise on his position though and finished fourth (2 ¾ lengths) behind Duckworth. Drawn well again but needed to show more than he did on debut before being considered a chance in a race of this quality.
15. HERE COMES THEBOOM – M Walker (7)
Cost $575k when purchased from the Magic Millions Yearling Sales last year so connections would’ve been bitterly disappointed with his debut effort when finishing ninth (beaten ten lengths) in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial. He did lose a plate in the run but hard to find anything out of that effort that would suggest he is any kind of chance of winning this.
16. PURE ADDICTION – M Zahra (14)
The Purrealist gelding will be commencing his career in the very deep end of the pool here. Trainer Robbie Griffiths gave his galloper a hit-out in a Cranbourne trial last week and he ran second of ten to Betcher. Would have thought there are a number of easier options for him than this race.
17. SEARLE – M Rodd (12) – 1st Emergency
A first started by Myboycharlie who cost $30k from the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. His dam is What A Rainbow a Spectrum mare who has produced four winners but nothing of note. No surprise to see him at a big quote.
18. STRATUM STAR – C Newitt (17) – 2nd Emergency
Made his debut three weeks back at Flemington but got his tongue over the bit and finished second to last, almost nine lengths behind winner Nostradamus. Drifted from 6 to 8/1 in betting last start and should he get a run, likely to struggle not even considering he’ll be coming from the second to widest gate.
RACE OVERVIEW
Rubick obviously the one to beat here but outside of he and Mohave, it’s a wide open affair. Chivalry and Nostradamus have looked smart in their respective runs but unfortunately, they’ve both drawn very poorly here and will be giving Rubick and Mohave a decent start turning for home. Cornrow will have derived good benefit from his last start second to Mohave and the extra 100m suits He too has drawn awkwardly and although he’ll be wide, should be able to find cover mid-field and have his chance. One drawn well is Francesco. He’ll secure a nice run in transit and comes from leading 2yo stable.
- RUBICK
- MOHAVE
- FRANCESCO
- CORNROW
All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.
