We are a fortnight out from Victoria’s richest 2YO race, the Gr 1 Blue Diamond.
And, as always, the $350,000 Blue Diamond Preludes are the best guide to that great race.
This Saturday the colts face off and that race features 3 unbeaten gallopers in Eurocanto, Eternal Warrior and Guest House, plus 5 others.
ETERNAL WARRIOR is resuming from a spell but the way he flooded home to win on debut at this track back in November suggests he might be pretty special. So I’ll have him on top from Eurocanto.
And that brings us to the fillies race.
When acceptances were called, 14 of them signed up for this race, but 3 were withdrawn on Friday.
RUBI’S CHOICE is unbeaten following her most impressive win in the Blue Diamond Preview on debut. That is hard to do and she achieved it coming off the pace after drifting in the betting.
She ran down I Am Aria that day who she meets again here. Both have drawn a touch awkwardly in this race, however.
The other unbeaten filly in the race is MOANA SPIRIT who looks very special.
She won on debut in Adelaide with her head on her chest, then came to Geelong for the Diamond there, where she sat back in 7th, then sprouted wings to beat a pretty fair one in Ghana’s Akan by 2 lengths.
These aren’t traditional lead up events for a Blue Diamond but she just runs like nothing in front of her as they turn for home, can hold her out.
Her father, Tagaloa, raced his way to fame and glory by winning the Gr 1 Blue Diamond, so that would be historic and memorable if she did the same.
I like her a lot.
Of the others, well I simply cannot see them beating the proven fillies home. The unraced MEDICINAL may be handy enough as she is unbeaten in trials and jump outs thus far and has drawn well. She is with the Hayes stable so watching the betting moves regarding her may be the best way to go.
And, the ever cagey Peter Moody – Katherine Coleman barn, will produce one on debut too called SHY MISS who has won 2 jump outs in style thus far.
So, we have an engaging pair of juvenile contests this weekend.
I’m going to have a wager because I love 2YO racing.
Tips for the fillies race are:
- Moana Spirit (3.70 – Online Racing Odds & Betting Australia | Palmerbet)
- Rubi’s Choice
- Medicinal
- Shy Miss.
Streisand, a maiden still after 3 runs is the favourite and she was unlucky last start behind Rubi’s Choice, but I think she may struggle late in this.
A win by Moana Miss would continue the incredible run of success by the Team McEvoy stable, who as we know, won the Gr 1 Melbourne Cup last year too.