Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) – 2021

Track: Good-Soft Weather: Fine

Twelve have accepted for the fillies edition of the Blue Diamond Prelude.  As is so often the case James Cummings and Godolphin have a strong hand in the race with three runners.  This includes race favourite Arcaded to be ridden by Damian Lane.  The filly impressed at her Caulfield debut on January 13 where she won by 3.3 lengths running away.  The second favourite Decent Raine ran a tough second at Gawler at her first start when sitting wide without cover.  Tayla’s Moment will be looking to improve on her two recent second placings.  She looks a strong filly and is drawn perfectly in barrier six for Daniel Moor.

Picarones is another of the Godolphin runners.  She is dropping back in distance from the 1300m she faced at Sandown last start and gets blinkers on for the first time.  Telluride and Bird Of Dubai come through a maiden at Moonee Valley where they finished first and second respectively.  Scorched Earth is first up in the race and has looked good winning a recent Geelong trial.  Tempest Charm doesn’t have a lot of gate speed but showed good closing speed in both her races during the spring.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Picarones

The blinkers go on for the first time for this daughter of Shooting To Win.  She won well on debut and then raced in inferior ground last time out.  Look for an improved showing.

2. Telluride

She settled back in the field and closed strongly to win by a narrow margin at Moonee Valley last start. A nice win but this is harder.

3. Tayla’s Moment

Has finished second at both her career starts.  She was left flat footed at Caulfield when the sprint went on but picked up again once balanced.  Therefore the step up to 1100m looks to suit.  A key contender.

4. Tempest Charm

This 2 year old grey filly is resuming in her second preparation.  She found herself a long way back in both runs during the spring but was able to make good ground on both occasions.  She has jumped out well at Cranbourne recently.  Look for her flying late.

5. Arcaded

Impressive debut win at Caulfield on January 13 where she camped on the back of a slow speed letting down to win by over 3 lengths.  Looks very smart and is the one they have to beat here.

6. Bird Of Dubai

May have been a touch unlucky when running a narrow second at Moonee Valley first up.  Losing Jamie Kah is a negative.

7. Scorched Earth

Scorched Earth ran 4th in the Magic Millions Classic at her only start.   She lead and won a recent trial at Geelong in good style.  Appears to have come back well.

8. Decent Raine

This daughter of Dissident was forced to do a lot of work sitting 3 wide on debut at Gawler.  She finished second but there is no doubt with a better run she would of won the race.  She is drawn to get a much softer run from an inside gate here.

9. Lady Audrey

Jamie Kah sticks with Lady Audrey who finished second to Arcaded on debut.  Hard to see her turning the tables on that horse but she is a place hope.

10. Wolves

Defied her huge starting price to be beaten less than 2 lengths in the Blue Diamond Preview.  She will take good improvement from that and draws to get a soft run on the fence for Jye McNeil.

11. Caliper

Debutant from the Ken and Kasey Keys yard.  She was ridden out when running second in a Cranbourne jump out on January 25.  Prefer to watch her first up.

12. Ginibi

First starter.  Showed good speed in her latest jump out over 650m but this is a huge ask first up.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
5. Arcaded	5. Arcaded
8. Decent Raine	4. Tempest Charm
3. Tayla’s Moment	10. Wolves
1. Picarones	3. Tayla’s Moment

Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes 2021 (Caulfield 1400m)

Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) 2021 (Caulfield 1100m)