Blue Diamond – 2023

Track: Good Weather: Fine

Eight colts and ten fillies make up the field of sixteen (plus two emergencies) for the $2,000,000 Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes.  Team Hayes, team Maher & Eustace and James Cummings all saddle up multiple runners.  As usually is the case with a capacity field of two year olds the speed looks strong which should ensure every horse gets their chance.

Unbeaten Godolphin colt Barber and filly Steel City are duelling for favouritism.  Little Brose, The Instructor and Don Corleone are the other horses under $10-1 but the chances certainly don’t end there.

1. Barber

Godolphin colt who is yet to put a foot wrong.  He has won all three starts including the Colts and Geldings Prelude at his last start.  Draws well here and keeps Jamie Kah.

2. Arkansaw Kid

Had no luck when snagged right back from a wide gate at Randwick last start.  Can settle much closer in the run here with McNeil doing the steering.  Looks the best roughie in the race to my eye.

3. Zulfiqar

Lead all the way to win the Chairman’s first up.  Unlikely to get control again here but has to be respected.

4. Little Brose

Was home hard into second behind Barber in the Colts & Geldings Prelude first up.  Capable of settling closer from the good draw.  Leading chance.

5. Brave Halo

Western Australian trained colt who arrived in Victoria with big wraps.  He didn’t have much luck behind Barber last start but is going to need a good steer from the wide draw.  Can win if he gets it.

6. The Instructor

Unbeaten colt trained by Waterhouse and Bott.  Will be given every chance by Childs up on the speed.

7. Veecee

Was an impressive debut winner at Flemington on Jan 14, then second as a warm favourite in the Chairman’s last start when dropping back in trip.  He could be the one storming home at the end here.

8. Don Corleone

Won well on debut, then safely held as an odds on favourite at Randwick last time out.  Wouldn’t shock to see him bounce right back here.  This camp no what they are doing.

9. Exploring

Took out the Fillies Prelude last start and was drawing away on the line.  Keeps Williams.  Not convinced that’s the right form but need to respect the stable.

10. De Sonic Boom

Blinkers go on after a disappointing run last start.  I can’t have her.

11. Party For Two

Queenslander who was second in the Fillies Prelude.  I am against her.

12. Steel City

Maher and Eustace trained filly who has been a close up second at both starts in Sydney.  Gets blinkers for the first time, Blake Shinn and a perfect gate to stalk the speed.  Strong winning chance.

13. Dubenenko

Brings 1000m Adelaide form.  I have to be against.

14. Cigar Flick

Thought she was disapointing in the Fillies Prelude.  Gets Blinkers for the first time but loses Damian Lane.

15. Picky

Was fifth in the Fillies Prelude last start.  Barrier 17 makes it tough.

16. Extreme Threat

Ran well at a big price in the Fillies Prelude but think she is likely to end up in a pretty ordinary position in the run here.  Would have preferred her to draw out.

17. Sensical

Was home well here on debut at a big price.  First four chance.

18. Beauty Rising

Was okay back to the inside last start.  Rough place chance at huge odds.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Lewis Oliver’s Tips	Jo Jackson’s Tips
4 Little Brose	1 Barber
2 Arkansaw Kid	12 Steel City
12 Steel City	3 Zulfiqar
5 Brave Halo	6 The Instructor