Having studied every runner in the TAB's first market, I have settled on my early 'Top 5' for this year's running of the Blue Diamond. 2yo form is obviously very difficult to line up and I have based my assessment more on the 'style' and potential for improvement in the exposed performances to date.My top pick at this stage is Mick Price's More Than Ready filly SAMAREADY ($17). I though she was excellent on debut up the Flemington straight and really like the way she extended when asked for an e
Having studied every runner in the TAB's first market, I have settled on my early 'Top 5' for this year's running of the Blue Diamond. 2yo form is obviously very difficult to line up and I have based my assessment more on the 'style' and potential for improvement in the exposed performances to date.
My top pick at this stage is Mick Price's More Than Ready filly SAMAREADY ($17). I though she was excellent on debut up the Flemington straight and really like the way she extended when asked for an effort. Mrs Gray took some ground off her in the run to the line but she wasn't knocked around by Newitt all and looked to my eye as if she could have won by a much bigger margin. The form has held up well enough with Mrs Gray running some excellent races against some of the other contending 2YO's. Mick Price is an excellent trainer of younger horses and I detected a fair amount of stable confidence about this girl in his post-race interview. Another huge plus is that she was immediately freshened after her debut with the Blue Diamond firmly in mind. At $17 Samaready represents a touch of value and should give us a good run for our money.
Tony McEvoy's JIMANDO ($6) showed some devastating acceleration in claiming the Debutants LR at Caulfield very impressively. He charged right away from them in the final 100m to win by 3.3L, defeating amongst others the easy Maribyrnong Plate (G3) winner Real Stolle. He looks quite bombproof and must go in.
HUSSOUSA ($13) put on a great display of sustained speed to lead the Gimcrack field before holding off Snipzu to win easily. You got the impression that there was plenty left up this Patinack filly's sleeve, scoring with plenty in reserve.
MEIDUNG ($6) looked great winning on debut for Peter Snowden at Rosehill, showing good tactical speed to share the lead at a strong tempo before demonstrating a strong kick in the straight.
I'll throw in ROLLING ZONE ($51) as my roughie. I really liked this Strategic colt's debut behind Cambiaso in the Maribyrnong Trial (LR) when he was badly help up between the 400m and the 200m. He was then found to be shin sore after failing when heavily supported behind Jimando in the Debutants (LR). Is definitely worth a ticket at that price if his problems are behind him...
I'll also be keeping an eye on Jim Conlan's nice filly RHANDARA ($51), who was very strong late on debut behind Applegate, and the well-bred unraced Waterhouse filly THE BROKEN SHORE ($31), who trialled stylishly.
Below are all the horses listed at $51 or under in the Blue Diamond market. I have tracked down the sales price (for the non-homebreds) where possible. Good luck to all those having an early speculative wager!
RACEWAY $4.40
More Than Ready x Claws; chestnut rig
Gai Waterhouse
1 start: 4L 1st of 11 over 1000m at Warwick Farm, defeating Agueda and Emperor Of Rome.
JIMANDO $6.00
Commands x Finko; bay colt
Tony McEvoy
Cost $50,000 at Magic Millions Premier
1 start: 3.3L 1st of 14 over 1000m at Caulfield (Debutants LR) defeating Princeton Miss and Planet Voyage.
MEIDUNG $6.00
Bernardini x Amish; bay filly
Peter Snowden
1 start: 2.8L 1st of 12 over 1100m at Rosehill, defeating Dances On Stars and Kyoto.
REAL STOLLE $9.00
Elusive Quality x Lemon Ruski; chestnut filly
John Thompson
2 starts: 5.4L 5th of 14 over 1000m at Caulfield (Debutants LR) behind Jimando; 1.3L 1st of 16 over 1000m at Flemington (Maribyrnong Plate G3), defeating Andre Roo Hoo and Magnus Reign.
CAMBIASO $10.00
More Than Ready x Flying Alpha; bay colt
Danny O'Brien
Cost $300,000 at Magic Millions Premier
1 start: 0.5L 1st of 13 over 1000m at Flemington (Maribyrnong Trial LR), defeating Imprimis and Little Red Corvette.
APPLEGATE $13.00
Exceed And Excel x Klamath Falls; bay filly
Peter Snowden
1 start: 0.1L 1st of 16 over 1000m at Flemington (Emirates LR), defeating Snitzerland and Alezan Thunder.
HUSSOUSA $13.00
Husson x Petousa; grey-brown filly
John Thompson
1 start: 1.5L first of 12 over 1000m at Randwick (Gimcrack LR), defeating Snipzu and Jade Marauder.
NO LOOKING BACK $15.00
Redoute's Choice x Mirror Mirror; bay filly
Gai Waterhouse
Cost $500,000 at Magic Millions Premier
2 starts: 0.8L 1st of 10 over 1000m at Warwick Farm, defeating Blazing Snitzel; 0.3L 2nd of 16 over 1200m at Gold Coast (Magic Millions 2YO Classic) behind Driefontein.
ARMED FOR ACTION $16.00
Exceed And Excel x Brave And Bold; bay filly
Anthony Freedman
Cost $90,000 at Australian Easter Yearling Sale
1 start: 3.8L 1st of 5 over 1000m at Mornington, defeating Road Trippin and Bern Bee.
SAMAREADY $17.00
More Than Ready x Samar; brown filly
Mick Price
Cost $150,000 at Australian Easter Yearling Sale
1 start: 1.3L 1st of 8 over 1000m at Flemington, defeating Mrs Gray and Alzora.
MEMBERS JOY $17.00
Hussonet x Rosa's Spur; grey filly
Robert Smerdon
Cost $85,000 at Magic Millions Premier
1 start: 2.5L 1st of 5 over 900m at Sandown, defeating Jacaranda Avenue and Mrs Gray.
RUSAMBO $21.00
Elusive Quality x Lobola; bay colt
Peter Snowden
2 starts: 1.5L 3rd of 11 over 1000m at Randwick (Breeders Plate G3) behind Pierro; 2.5L 2nd of 13 over 1000m at Randwick (Victory Vein) behind Amorino.
SESSIONS $21.00
Lonhro x Seances; brown colt
Peter Snowden
1 trial: 1st of 6 (0.5L) at Cant, defeating Rise To The Top and Ashokan.
MRS GRAY $26.00
Husson Lightning x Body Corporate; bay filly
David Hayes
Cost $95,000 at Western Australian Premier
4 starts (4-0-2-1): 1.3L 2nd of 8 over 1000m at Flemington behind Samaready; 1L 2nd of 13 over 1100m at Rosehill behind Amorino; 2L 5th of 16 over 1200m at Gold Coast (Magic Million 2YO Classic) behind Driefontein.
REPOUSSER $26.00
Choisir x Spurn; bay gelding
Byron Cozamanis
Cost $52,500 at Melbourne Premier
1 start: 0.8L 1st of 7 over 1000m at Moonee Valley, defeating Belisima.
SABIE $26.00
Exceed And Excel x Rondavel; chestnut filly
Anthony Freedman
2 starts: 5L 1st of 8 over 1000m at Cranbourne defeating Shivers; 2.5L 1st of 8 over 1000m at Moonee Valley, defeating Demasheen and Infinite Fortune
.
THE BROKEN SHORE $31.00
Hussonet x Shantha's Choice; chestnut filly
Gai Waterhouse
1 trial: 1st of 8 (3.3L) at Warwick Farm beating Gone Platinum.
AGUEDA $31.00
General Nediym x Smoothie; chestnut filly
Anthony Cummings
2 starts: 1.3L 3rd of 11 at Kembla Grange behind Genteel; 4L 2nd of 11 over 1000m at Warwick Farm behind Raceway.
TORMENTED $31.00
Charge Forward x Anapine; bay filly
Mark Kavanagh
Cost $160,000 at Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Unraced/no trials
TIMELY TRUCE $31.00
Brief Truce x Gal Express; bay gelding
Ricky Maund
2 starts: 1.5L 2nd of 9 over 1000m at Sandown (Merson Cooper LR) behind Maximus Moonard; 2.2L 4th of 8 over 1100m at Caulfield behind Ferment.
PIERRO $31.00
Lonhro x Miss Right Note; bay colt
Gai Waterhouse
Cost $230,000 at Magic Millions Premier
1 start: 0.2L 1st of 11 over 1000m at Randwick (Breeders Plate LR) beating Hidden Warrior and Rusambo.
FERRARI STAR $51.00
Testa Rossa x Star Hit; brown colt
Tony McEvoy
Cost $70,000 at Melbourne Premier
2 trials: 1st of 4 (1L) Murray Bridge; 3rd of 5 (btn 2.5L) Morph Parks behind Miss Intensus.
FAST AND LOOSE $51.00
Fastnet Rock x Siren Miss; bay filly
Mark Kavanagh
Cost $360,000 at Australian Easter Yearling Sale
1 start: 2.6L 5th of 8 over 1050m at Morphettville behind Little Ducati.
NARCISSUS $51.00
Exceed And Excel x Hasna; brown colt
Peter Snowden
Cost $290,000 at Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Unraced/no trials
MALASUN $51.00
Red Ransom x Malapert; bay filly
Mick Price
Cost $80,000 at Melbourne Premier
Unraced/no trials
LIBERTY ROCK $51.00
Rock Of Gibraltar x Staten Island; bay colt
Peter Moody
Cost $110,000 at Magic Millions Premier
Unraced/no trials
ZUMOOROODA $51.00
Encosta de Lago x Murjana; bay filly
Mick Price
Unraced/no trials
STRIVE TO EXCEL $51.00
Redoute's Choice x Suggestive; bay colt
Peter Moody
Cost $600,000 at Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Unraced/no trials
SEASIDE $51.00
Redoute's Choice x Living Spirit; bay filly
Peter Snowden
Unraced/no trials
TUSCAN HAZE $51.00
Flying Spur x Halibery; bay filly
Mick Price
Unraced/no trials
ZAHEE $51.00
Dylan Thomas x Zaheeya; bay colt
Mick Price
Unraced/no trials
WINGARA $51.00
Encosta de Lago x In The Past; bay colt
Peter Moody
Cost $200,000 at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale
Unraced/no trials
ROLLING ZONE $51.00
Strategic x Honest; bay colt
John Sadler
Cost $25,000 at Magic Millions Winter Weanling Sale
2 starts: 2.5L 5th of 13 over 1000m at Flemington (Maribyrnong Trial LR) behind Cambiaso (held up badly); 11L 13th of 16 over 1000m at Caulfield (Debutants LR) behind Jimando (pulled up shin sore).
PRINCETON MISS $51.00
Not A Single Doubt x Karalee; bay filly
Robbie Griffiths
Cost $150,000 at Magic Millions Summer Sale
2 starts: 3.3L 2nd of 14 over 1000m at Caulfield (Debutantes LR) behind Jimando; 11.1L
PRINCESS ROYALE $51.00
Casino Prince x Charybdis; bay filly
Cost $85,000 at Magic Millions Premier
Unraced/no trials
PRONTO PRONTO $51.00
Snitzel x Teresa; bay colt
Jason Warren
Cost $160,000 at New Zealand Premier
Unraced/no trials
RHANDARA $51.00
Redoute's Choice x Bhandara; bay filly
Jim Conlan
Cost $430,000 at Australian Easter Yearling Sale
1 start: 1.5L 4th of 16 over 1000m at Flemington (Emirates LR) behind Applegate. Made strong late ground from well back.
RECRIMINATE $51.00
Redoute's Choice x Castellina; brown colt
Mick Price
Cost $70,000 at Melbourne Premier
Unraced/no trials
EXIMIUS $51.00
Exceed And Excel x Allegra; chestnut colt
Mick Price
Cost $100,000 at Melbourne Premier
Unraced/no trials
CAVES $51.00
Bernardini x From The Cellar; bay filly
Anthony Freedman
Unraced/no trials
BUSH AVIATOR $51.00
Stratum x Sister Patricia; chestnut colt
Danny O'Brien
Cost $140,000 at Magic Millions Premier
Unraced/no trials
AL ANEED $51.00
More Than Ready x Al Anood; bay colt
Mick Price
Unraced/no trials
ANDRE ROO HOO $51.00
Written Tycoon x Solar Song; chestnut colt
Robbie Lang
2 starts: 1.3L 2nd of 16 over 1000m at Flemington (Maribyrnong Plate G3) behind Real Stolle; 1.6L 3rd of 9 over 1000m at Sandown (Merson Cooper LR) behind Maximus Moonard.
DEAR DEMI $51.00
Dehere x Shirley; bay filly
Clarry Connors
Cost $130,000 at Magic Millions Premier
3 starts (3-0-0-1): latest 6.6L 4th of 11 over 1000m at WFarm behind Raceway.
BERN BEE $51.00
Bernardini x Oshi; bay colt
Mark Kavanagh
1 start: 9.8L 3rd of 5 over 1005m at Mornington behind Armed For Action.
BEAUFORT $51.00
Exceed And Excel x Whistles; bay colt
Peter Snowden
Unraced/no trials
BOOM BABY BOOM $51.00
Shaft x Mondo Rock; bay gelding
Anthony Freedman
Cost $35,000 at Magic Millions Summer Sale
Unraced/no trials
DEB'S DELIGHT $51.00
Lonhro x Assertive Sound; brown filly
Peter Moody
Cost $280,000 at Melbourne Premier
Unraced/no trials
DANGER CLOSE $51.00
Written Tycoon x Galactic Honour; bay colt
Jason Warren
Cost $36,000 at Autumn Yearling Sale (Inglis VIC)
Unraced/no trials
COLLIDE $51.00
Bradbury's Luck x Oh Best Beloved; grey gelding
David Hayes
Cost $36,000 at Magic Millions Summer Sale
1 trial: 1st of 6 (2.5L) at Bendigo, defeating The Ancient Order and Sylvan Arc.
LITTLE CRITTER $51.00
Court Command x Gotha; bay colt
Tony McEvoy
Cost $40,000 at Magic Millions Premier
5 starts: (5-1-2-0); latest 15.9L 15th of 16 over 1200m at Gold Coast (Magic Millions Classic) behind Driefontein.
COINS $51.00
Hard Spun x Monetary; bay filly
Peter Snowden
1 start: 2L 4th of 9 over 1000m at Sandown (Merson Cooper LR) behind Maximus Moonard. Featured heavily in stewards report.
COMMANDING JEWEL $51.00
Commands x Regard; brown filly
Leon Corstens
Cost $205,000 at Magic Millions Premier
Unraced/no trials
CLINTON AFFAIR $51.00
Snitzel x Watch My Lips; brown colt
Peter Moody
Cost $80,000 at Melbourne Premier
Unraced/no trials