Racing Preview – Saturday 21 Feb

Blue Diamond Stakes – Caulfield
The main event on Saturday is the Group 1 $1,000,000 Arrowfield Stud Blue Diamond Stakes set-weight race for two-year olds over 1200 metres. There is a field of 13 with the 6 colts and geldings carrying 55.5kg and the 7 fillies carrying 53.5kg.

The early market has the filly Rostova as favourite at $2.60 ahead of the colt Real Saga at $3.20. Both of these two-year-olds have won 3 from 3 starts and both won the Prelude for their gender over 1100 metres on 8 February. It should be a great race, whoever wins. 

Come Hither is next in the market at $10, followed by Reward For Effort and Irish Lights at $15.

Jo’s tips: 1. Rostova, 2. Real Saga, 3. Reward For Effort

Oakleigh Plate – Caulfield
The Group 1 $400,000 Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate over 1100 metres has attracted a full field of 18 runners plus 2 emergencies. It is a very interesting field and the early favourite at $4.40 is the least experienced horse, Fist Of Fury, who has only three race starts for 2 wins and a second. Next in the betting at $5.50 is Scenic Blast who shares topweight of 57kg with Typhoon Zed. He is used to carrying heavyweights though and looks well suited here.

Next in the early market is Wilander at $7, Red Element and Morgan Dollar at $11, Typhoon Zed at $12 and Lucky Secret at $13.

Jo’s tips: 1. Scenic Blast, 2. Red Element, 3. Wasted Emotions

Winning Edge Presentations Classic – Rosehill
The Group 2 $250,000 Winning Edge Presentations Apollo Stakes over 1400 metres is a standard weight-for-age race for three-year-olds and upwards, and there are 11 starters. Five of them are having their first start back from a spell, including 2008 Melbourne Cup winner Viewed, and Group 1 winner Tuesday Joy.

The early favourite at $2.30 is Desuetude who is the only three-year-old in the race. He has race fitness on his side and has won 3 of his 6 starts and never been out of a place. Next in the market is Tuesday Joy at $6, Gallant Tess at $7.50, Mentality at $9, Hurried Choice at $9.50 and Raheeb at $10.

Jo’s tips: 1. Moatize, 2. Tuesday Joy, 3. Desuetude