Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Saturday sees the running of the all-important Blue Diamond Preludes (1100 metres) - a precursor to Victoria’s pre-eminent race for 2-year-olds - the G1 Blue Diamond S. (1200 metres), which takes place on February 25.
With Caulfield out of play due to renovations, the series will this year be held at Sandown-Hillside, and on Saturday, a number of Diamond aspirants will get their first look at the track.
The colt and geldings’ division has attracted a field of 12, including unbeaten Godolphin colt Barber (Exceed And Excel) who is on the second line of betting at $6 with tab.com.au for the Diamond, while the fillies’ race will see 15 runners face the starter, including the $5 Diamond favourite Charm Stone (I Am Invincible).
G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings)
Notable winners:
Since its inception in 1971, several colts/geldings have won the Prelude before going on to take out the prestigious Group 1, including Rancher in 1982, Let’s Get Physical in 1985, Bel Esprit in 2002, Sepoy in 2011 and Written By in 2018.
A number of Australasia’s top stallions boast a victory in the Prelude. In addition to Rancher and Bel Esprit, you can add Yachtie (1992), Danzero (1994), Flying Spur (1995) and Lonhro (2001).
Gallery: Some of the notable winners of the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings) who then went on to win the G1 Blue Diamond S., images courtesy of Sportpix
Darley’s evergreen stallion Exceed And Excel has sired two winners - Wilander in 2008 and Kuroshio in 2013 - and he is the damsire of a further two victors - Hanseatic in 2020 and Lofty Strike (Snitzel) in 2022.
Last year, the males’ Prelude was won by the Julius Sandhu-trained Lofty Strike and he was sensationally ruled out of the Diamond by order of Racing Victoria stewards, who ruled the colt showed lameness in the right front.
Ones to watch:
Barber is almost certain to start favourite, although, the Western Australia visitor, Brave Halo (Brave Smash {Jpn}), has had solid support during the week.
Barber could hardly have been more impressive in his two starts to date. He won over 1000 metres at Randwick on debut in October, before adding the $1 million Golden Gift (1100 metres) at Rosehill a fortnight later. The colt, who will be partnered by Jamie Kah, has tuned up for his resumption with two trials and was a winner at the most recent of those (at Hawkesbury on January 24).
Barber, the current favourite for the G3 Blue Diamond (Colts and Geldings) | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Godolphin last won this race in 2020 with Hanseatic, who now stands at Rosemont Stud.
Brave Halo has created a huge impression in Perth, owns three wins from as many starts, and should get a lovely run in transit from barrier three under Damien Oliver.
The Aquis Farm-bred colt, who was the first winner for his dual Group 1-winning sire, is raced by Wally Daley, who enjoyed great success with the two-time Group 1-winning sprinter Vega Magic (Lope De Vega {Ire}).
Brave Halo | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
Another juvenile sure to have admirers is the Merson Cooper S. (1000 metres) victor Little Brose (Per Incanto {USA}), who edged Barber’s stablemate, Cylinder (Exceed And Excel), in that Listed contest.
The grey colt ran a nice second on debut in the G3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000 metres) at Flemington, but that form could be suspect, with the winner, Krakarib (Ribchester {Ire}), failing behind The Instructor (Written By) in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (1000 metres) for colts and geldings on January 26.
The Ben and JD Hayes-trained Little Brose looked good in a recent Geelong trial. Stepping out to 1100 metres for the first time, he will have Michael Dee aboard and has drawn a good alley (four).
Little Brose | Image courtesy of Darren Tindale
The race features two first starters, including the Peter Moody-trained Amigo (Snitzel), and, while he hasn’t participated in an official trial, there is a little whisper about him.
Amigo was bred by Arrowfield Stud and made $975,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The colt was bought by Tasman Bloodstock/TFI and races for TFI and prominent owners and breeders Ron and Judy Wanless.
The colt is from the Listed winner You’re So Good (NZ) (Savabeel), who is a sister to the stakes performer Indrabeel (NZ).
Amigo as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
You’re So Good has one runner to the races - Waafiya (Snitzel) - and she won a Scone maiden.
Amigo’s grandam, Lightning Spur (Flying Spur) - a winner of one of her five starts - is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 heroine Melito (Redoute’s Choice).
G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies)
Notable winners:
The list of fillies to have won the Prelude-Diamond double features the likes of Midnight Fever (Luskin Star) in 1987, Lady Jakeo (Last Tycoon {Ire}) in 1993, Alinghi (Encosta De Lago ) in 2004, Samaready (More Than Ready {USA}) in 2012, Earthquake (Exceed And Excel) in 2014, Catchy (Fastnet Rock) in 2017 and Lyre (Lonhro) in 2019.
Other noteworthy winners include Courtza (NZ) (Pompeii Court {USA}) in 1989, Merlene (Danehill {USA}) in 1996, Rose Of Danehill (Danehill {USA}) in 1997 and Rostova (Testa Rossa) in 2009.
Gallery: Some of the notable winners of the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) who then went on to win the G1 Blue Diamond S.
Exceed And Excel has also had a profound impact on the Fillies’ Prelude, with three of the past 15 editions being won by his progeny - Believe’N’Succeed in 2008, Guelph in 2013 and Earthquake. And the late, great Danehill (USA) sired four winners - Merlene, Rose Of Danehill, Mannington in 2000 and Faiza in 2001.
In 2022, the Fillies’ Prelude was taken out by the Team Snowden-trained Revolutionary Miss (Russian Revolution), who would run a close second to Daumier (Epaulette) in the Blue Diamond S.
Ones to watch:
Mick Price doesn't hand out compliments unnecessarily and the co-trainer of Charm Stone has been effusive in his praise of the $1.55 million yearling, who already has a Group 3 success to her credit (she won the Ottawa S. at Flemington in November).
Charm Stone, the current favourite for the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) | Image courtesy of Darren Tindale
Mark Zahra takes over on Charm Stone, who is from the dual Group 3 winner Najoom (Northern Meteor), making her a sister to the two-time Listed victress Najmaty.
Charm Stone will jump from barrier seven.
One man who knows Charm Stone’s ability well is Damian Lane, who piloted her to victory at Flemington, and ‘Frosty’ will partner the Chris Waller-trained Sydneysider Cigar Flick (Churchill {Ire}).
From the three-time winner Palmateer (Fastnet Rock), the filly was a stylish winner on debut over 1100 metres and wasn't disgraced when running fourth, beaten 2.97l, by the smart Learning To Fly (Justify {USA}) in the G3 Widden S. (1100 metres) on January 28.
Cigar Flick will have to overcome a wide draw, with the filly set to jump from stall 13.
Cigar Flick | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Another Perth visitor, the unbeaten Shaddow Fear (Sioux Nation {USA}), as well as the G3 Fillies’ Blue Diamond Preview (1000 metres) winner De Sonic Boom (Spirit Of Boom), are likely to have their share of supporters, while Queensland filly Party For Two (Sidestep) has brained her opposition in her past two outings.
Of the four debutantes, the Simon Zahra-trained Soju (Capitalist), now she has gained a start, will be a big watch. After fetching $60,000 as a weanling, she was knocked down to Domenic Romanelli for $100,000 at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, when offered by Maluka Thoroughbreds.
Soju is the first living foal of the winning I Am Invincible mare Fashion Model and is closely related to the Group 3 winner Cornwall Queen (King Marauding).
