The Peter Snowden trained Guelph will have to overcome barrier 13 but remains an outright $3.30 favourite with Sportingbet Australia for Saturday’s Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield.
Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said recent history shows a wide barrier could actually play in Guelph’s favour.
$200 BLUE DIAMOND STAKES FREE BET
“The race has been run at breakneck speed over the past decade so if Guelph can cross over into a nice spot off the pace she’s still going to be very tough to beat ,” Sullivan said.
South Australian filly Miracles of Life will start from barrier 1 and is a clear second pick at $3.40 with Sportingbet Australia.
“Miracles Of Life is certainly one of the best horses in the race but from barrier 1 she’ll be under a heap of pressure to hold her spot and if she gets buried back on the fence she may never get a decent crack at them,” Sullivan said.
“A Blue Diamond winner hasn’t come from barriers 1, 2 or 3 in over decade because of the pressure on those inside gates and they can often be a poisoned chalice in a race like this,” Sullivan said.
One of Snowden’s other runners, Metastasio, is a $7.50 third favourite ahead of Thermal Current at $8.
“Thermal Current could be the smokey as he should get a nice smother back in the field from barrier 6 and will be swooping home late when it counts,” Sullivan said.
Godiva Rock has been the best backed in the hours following the barrier draw and is $41 into $26 after attracting a number of significant bets including one of $1000 @ $41.
The girls are $1.26 favourites to beat the boys at $3.80, while Peter Snowden is $2.25 to train the winner ahead of Peter Moody at $5.00, David Hayes at $11.50 and any other trainer at $2.45.
2013 Blue Diamond Stakes
Sportingbet Australia Market
Guelph $3.30 (was $3.10)
Miracles Of Life $3.40 (was $3.30)
Metastasio $7.50 (was $7.00)
Thermal Currrent $8.00 (unchanged)
Crack A Roadie $21.00 (unchanged)
Dissident $21.00 (unchanged)
Gregers $21.00(unchanged)
Montsegur $26.00 (was $31.00)
The Bowler $26.00 (was $23.00)
Godiva Rock $26.00 (was $61.00)
Fast N Rocking $31.00 (was $41.00)
Kona Breeze $71.00 (was $51.00)
Quest For Peace $51.00 (was $41.00)
Shamus Award $81 (unchanged)
I Am Titanium $101 (was $81.00)
Who will train the winner of the 2013 Blue Diamond?
Peter Snowden $2.25
The Rest $2.45
Peter Moody $5.00
David Hayes $11.50
Males V Females
Filly wins $1.26
Male horse wins $3.80