Blue Diamond Stakes – 2022

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

A capacity field of sixteen is set to line up in an open edition of the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes.  Ten colts and six fillies make up the field.  Peter Moody has three runners, while Ciaron Maher/David Eustace and Team Hawkes have two.  As always the key lead up races are the Blue Diamond Preludes.  Five come through the Colts & Geldings edition and five come via the Fillies edition.

The current favourite in the betting is the Mick Price & Mick Kent Jnr trained runner Jaquinot.  He was unlucky last start in the Colts & Geldings Prelude after winning impressively at his debut on Boxing Day.  Lofty Strike is unbeaten and profiles strongly here with Jamie Mott in the saddle. Peter & Paul Snowden have a strong record in the big two year old races and they saddle up Revolutionary Miss who won the Fillies Prelude at her last start.

Sebonack impressed winning the Chairman’s Stakes on debut and is drawn well in barrier eight.  Miss Roseiano is another debut winner and was only collared late in the Fillies Prelude.  Daumier gets blinkers on for the first time.  Hafey bolted in at Bendigo on debut.  Counttheheadlights wasn’t far away last start.  Rampant Lion is one of the three Moody runners while English Riviera and Semillion both ran placings in the the Fillies Prelude.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Semillion

Team Hawkes runner.  Won the Inglis 2YO race at Moonee Valley on debut in October then spelled.  Returned with good second in the Colts & Geldings Prelude behind Lofty Strike.  Suspect he can improve a length or two off that which puts him in the mix here if he doesn’t have to work too hard from the wide barrier.

2. Lofty Strike

Unbeaten colt trained by Julius Sandhu.  Reeled in English Riviera at Flemington on debut then came from off the speed to win the Colts & Geldings Prelude last time out.  Yet to put a foot wrong.  Rates highly.

3. Daumier

Godolphin colt.  Liked his debut win in the Colts and Geldings Preview, then was a good third in the Prelude considering he was racing in the wrong section of the track.  Blinkers go on here from the good gate.  Roughie with a chance.

4. Sebonack

Jumped out well before an impressive debut win in the Chairman’s .  Sat behind the lead and sprinted quickly when the gap appeared.  Should get a gun run from barrier eight.  One of the chances.

5. Counttheheadlights

Determined win on debut at the Valley over 1200m, then battled on okay when dropping back to 1100m in the Colts & Geldings Prelude.  Consider for multiples.

6. Jacquinot

Impressive debut winner, then was added to the black book last start after nothing went right.  He missed the start, then was held up in the inferior section of the track but still made solid ground late.  Much better suited drawn out this time around.  Rates highly.

7. Rampant Lion

Looked the winner of the Colts & Geldings Preview first up before Daumier kicked back to win.  May be a run short but is not hopeless.

8. Merchant Prince

Fourth career start.  Won Pakenham maiden two back before finishing off well behind Sir Bailey at Sandown last start.  Not sure that’s the right form here though.

9. Flashing Steel

$1,000,000 yearling purchase from Magic Millions.  Was third in the Canobury at start two then eighth in the Pierro last start.  Blinkers go on for the first time here.  He needs to improve.

10. Hafey

Maher & Eustace galloper who bolted in at Bendigo on debut.  Williams sticks.  Rough hope.

11. Revolutionary Miss

Stormed down the outside to win the Fillies Prelude last start.  Drawn to do the same thing again here with Jamie Kah taking over from Michael Dee.  Profiles well.

12. Miss Roseiano

Lead all the way to win here on debut, then only collared late by Revolutionary Miss last time out. Will make her luck up on speed again.

13. Kiki Express

Made a sound return in the Fillies Prelude.  Fitter for that.  Rough place chance.

14. English Riviera

Tounge tie goes on for this McEvoy trained filly.  She was heavily supported on debut when only collared late by Lofty Strike before leading them up in the Fillies Prelude last time and battling on into third despite racing in the inferior ground.  Drawn well.  First four player.

15. Waltz On By

Peter Moody runner on the quick back up after finishing second in the Talindert last week.  Loses Kah.  Think she’s a place chance at best.

16. Seven Sisters

Broke maiden narrowly at Geelong at start two, then ran an eye catcher in the Fillies Prelude.  Place claims here.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
11. Revolutionary Miss	6. Jacquinot
6. Jacquinot	3. Daumier
3. Daumier	11. Revolutionary Miss
12. Miss Roseiano	4. Sebonack

Group 1 Oakleigh Plate 2022 (Caulfield 1100m)

Group 1 Futurity Stakes 2022 (Caulfield 1400m)

Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes 2022 (Randwick 1600m)

Group 1 Surround Stakes 2022 (Randwick 1400m)