Father-and-son trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman are well-versed in capturing Victoria’s flagship two-year-old prize.
They dominated the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield, first with Artorius in 2021 and then Daumier the year after.
This season, the pair looks to slot High Alert into the February 21 1200m spectacle, pinning hopes on a strong showing in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Making his second start, High Alert comes off a fourth in the Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) at Caulfield on January 24.
Barrier one proved troublesome that day, as High Alert was held up on the inside, checked in the straight, but rallied late for fourth position.
Rider Luke Currie and Sam Freedman weighed lodging a protest but passed, the main relief being High Alert’s flawless recovery.
Freedman disclosed the colt added five to six kilos post-race, but the co-trainer stresses the need for some breaks to crack the Blue Diamond field.
“He’s probably going to have to run first two to get into the race I would say,” Freedman said.
“He’s going to be a proper horse in time.
“He put on weight, so it didn’t hurt him at all. He pulled up super and really, he ended up with a dash home.
“Hopefully he gets a bit of even luck, and we can see where he sits, but I don’t know if that’s the ‘A’ grade form.
“We’re always wary of the unlucky horse in a bad race, but he does work like a nice horse, so hopefully he can show it.”
The debut showcased High Alert’s quickening ability, ideal for escaping binds, according to Freedman.
“It was still enough of a run leading to the Blue Diamond,” Freedman said.
“The horse went off next to him in the gates, but that’s why he will be a nice horse, because nothing really fazes him.”
Saturday sees High Alert in gate five of eight, with Craig Williams taking the mount.
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The post High Alert to show Blue Diamond Stakes credentials first appeared on Just Horse Racing.