Trainer Robbie Laing, who watched his colt Boomwaa run a narrow second last week in the Inglis Classic, is hoping to go one better in this 2yo feature with his filly Golconda. She is the early favourite at $3.70 just in advance of Fontein Ruby ($4.00) and Eloping ($4.20) but there is also plenty of support for three well bred debutantes. London Lolly ($7.50), Lumosty ($8.00) and Tawteen ($10.00), all of the connections and pedigree required to run bold races first up.
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Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) Form Guide
1. GOLCONDA – S Arnold (3) 57.5kgs
The daughter of Snitzel kicked off her career back on Cup Day last year in the 7news Stakes (1000m) up the Flemington straight. She made good ground from the tail of the field to finish fourth (3 lengths) behind Oakleigh Gal and off that effort, was sent out as the ruling 7/4 favourite in the Listed Desiree Gill Stakes (1000m) at her next start here at Caulfield. Settling on this speed this time, she gave her rivals no chance by extending well late and recording a comfortably three length win over All Sewn Up. Does have to give the rest of the field at least 2.5kgs but drawn to get a good run and the race experience, especially around this track, is a bonus.
2. FONTEIN RUBY – D Oliver (8) 55kgs
Caught the eye making her debut on Boxing Day in an Open filly’s race over 1000m. She draw the second to widest gate in the field of thirteen, was caught wide and lost a plate in the run but nevertheless, the Tony Vasil trained galloper finished off in nice style to run second (long neck) to Empress O’Reilly. A lot to like about her debut and could only be better for the run. Drawn wide again but cannot dismiss.
3. SAKITTO – C Symons (4) 55kgs
The Darley runner by Domesday has had two starts, both over this course and distance and has finished second on each occasion. In December she had every chance from a good draw when finishing ¾ of a length behind Wawail on a slow track before closing well to finish 1 ¼ lengths in arrears of Top Sight. Can’t knock either of her starts and drawn to get the ideal position in the run here but does take a tougher grade of competitor here.
4. AVANTI – D Moor (9) 55kgs
The Anthony Freedman trained runner drew the inside gate when making her debut in a Seymour Maiden (1000m) earlier this month and took advantage of the sweet run to record a 1 ¼ length win. The Street Cry filly is out of Brockman’s Lass, a smart mare who won several Listed races and the G3 R A Lee Stakes (1600m) in Adelaide. Avanti’s pedigree would suggest she’s better suited over further ground and likely to get back from the wide draw but will be doing her best work late.
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5. ELOPING – S Baster (2) 55kgs
The Choisir filly recorded an impressive 2 ½ length win on debut at Bendigo the week before Christmas. Ridden by Baster she started 8/11 on favourite and gave those who took the short price no cause for concern leading from the front throughout. Obviously takes on a stronger field here but did win with something to spare at Bendigo and from an inside gate, she might be able to repeat that effort.
6. JESTER ANGEL – D Stackhouse (7) 55kgs
Purchased by her trainer Mark Riley from the Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale for $42.5k, the daughter of Any Given Saturday will be making her debut. Out of Racer’s Edge mare Di’s Angel, she is the second foal from the mare to race and a sister to Must Be Mink (by Musket) who has a win and second in Tasmania from her two starts. Picks a tough race to commence her career and would prefer to see.
7. LONDON LOLLY – G Boss (5) 55kgs
Team Hawkes prepare this filly by Charge Forward from smart race mare Lovely Jubly and who has been retained by her breeders. Lovely Jubly was a very smart race-mare and as a 2yo, won the Magic Millions 2yo Classic, G1 Qld Sire’s Produce and The T.J. Smith She’s had six to race for four winners with the best of them being her first foal Cravings, who ran fourth in a Listed race. Right breeding, right yard, jockey and gate. A big run first up would not surprise.
8. LUMOSITY – M Zahra (1) 55kgs
Owned and trained by the same connections as Mosheen and Electric Fusion, this daughter of Fastnet Rock is out of former imported Coolmore mare Luminous Eyes. The mare only started twice in Australia, in the G2 Dane Ripper and Listed Centenary Mile but didn’t figure in either before being retired to stud. Lumosty is her first foal and fetched $185k when she was sold through the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale last year.
9. TAWTEEN – C Schofield (6) 55kgs
This Stratum filly cost Shadwell Stud a cool $260k when they purchased her at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. She is the second foal of Grand Slam mare Sprung and her first to race. She had a trial way back in September of last year at Cranbourne so expect the David Hayes trained runner to be well schooled and prepared for this event. Stable has a good record across the Blue Diamond series and would not dismiss her chances lightly.
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RACE OVERVIEW
Relatively small field but a competitive one all the same. The three debutants at the bottom of the field add plenty of interest. A big run from all of them would not be surprise but with London Lolly the pick of them. Of those we have seen, Eloping showed natural speed at Bendigo and drawing gate two, she should find the fence and ran them along, an advantage more often than not at Caulfield. Tagging her throughout should be favourite Golconda who will get every chance. Both of her runs have been very good and she’s the deserved favourite. There was plenty to like about Fontein Ruby’s only run. Not much went right but she still got to within a neck of the winner in the end. Drawn a little awkwardly again but cannot be left out of the numbers.
- GOLCONDA
- ELOPING
- LONDON LOLLY
- FONTEIN RUBY
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