A capacity field of 16 juveniles have accepted for Saturday’s Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield in what is shaping up to be a thrilling clash between some of the top two-year-olds in the country.
Three unbeaten fillies, including early short-priced favourite Enthaar, will line up for a crack at $1.5 million in prize-money, alongside a trio of Godolphin stars in Anamoe, Ingratiating and Arcaded.
James Cummings has trained 10 two-year-old winners already this season, but the Godolphin team do have their work cut out against the red-hot Jamie Kah, who saddles Blue Diamond Preview and Prelude winner General Beau.
Favourites have a dominant recent record in this race, but there’s a strong case to be made for those at double figures following Tagaloa’s win last year.
Below, you can find our thoughts on each and every runner, as well as a few key stats, in our 2021 Blue Diamond Stakes Preview.
General Beau
After paying a late entry fee, connections will be hoping General Beau can become the fifth horse to win the Blue Diamond Stakes after winning the Preview and the Prelude leading in.
The Matthew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained two-year-old has had four starts for three wins and appears to be wanting further now after just holding on to beat Anamoe in the Prelude two weeks earlier.
The son of Brazen Beau was also beaten only a length second to Ingratiating during the Spring at Flemington, another form line that reads extremely well with the red-hot Jamie Kah retaining the ride.
Now in search of his hat-trick, the inside draw has seen General Beau firm significantly in as he pushes forward to run the race on his terms.
Ingratiating
Ingratiating was simply outstanding last week at Flemington winning the Listed Talindert Stakes with plenty left to spare.
The Godolphin colt returns on the quick backup now looking to become the first horse since Star Witness in 2010 to complete the Tailindert-Blue Diamond double, and the first horse since Road to Success in 2000 to win on a seven-day break.
The way he hit the line last week suggests he’ll see out the 1200m just fine, while barrier 7 should allow to him enjoy a nice cozy run just behind the speed.
The current $11 quote makes him one of the top each-way prospects.
Finance Tycoon
Finance Tycoon is one of only two horses in the field to own a win over Ingratiating after beating home the Godolphin star in the Listed Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington on Cup Day.
The son of Written Tycoon returned in great order last month to score an impressive win over Shaquero on the Gold Coast, while his disappointment last start in the Magic Millions Classic can be forgiven after drawing awkwardly out wide.
Considering he’s the only horse in the field with a run under his belt over 1200m, he might just be over the odds.
Pegasi
Pegasi led all the way to win his maiden at Geelong two runs back, a tactic Kerrin McEvoy will likely look to employ again on Saturday.
The McEvoy-trained two-year-old has since gone on to battle home strongly for a place in the Inglis Millennium at Randwick, an effort he’s sure to improve on getting back to a firmer surface.
Anamoe
Anamoe looks a leading hope for the Godolphin team after finishing second to General Beau in a photo in the Blue Diamond Prelude two weeks ago.
The stablemate to Ingratiating won his maiden last year at Sandown in the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes and has already shown a serious turn of foot in three starts to date.
Damien Oliver’s tactics were to take him back early in the Prelude, and it wouldn’t be surprising to watch him run a similar race on Saturday despite the horror draw.
Providing he doesn’t spend too much petrol early, he should be doing his best work late.
Abseiler
Abseiler was the clear winner on debut last month where he finished a length clear of Telluride down the Flemington straight.
His second-up effort saw him go forward in the Blue Diamond Preview, only to fade late for fourth behind Gulf Of Suez, Extreme Warrior and the winner General Beau.
He should be better for that experience but looks unlikely here from the wide draw.
Artorius
Artorius was a runaway winner second-up at Sandown last month where he put 4.5 lengths on the rest of the field.
His lead-in to the Blue Diamond has been unconventional to say the least, but that performance has left plenty speculating on his chances coming in off a freshen-up.
The colt by Flying Artie loves to get back and run on, so barrier 10 should provide Luke Currie with plenty of opportunities in transit.
Jigsaw
Jigsaw bolted in to win on debut at Geelong last month in a huge three-length win over Artorious.
His second-up run in the Blue Diamond Prelude was an eye-catching one, flashing home for third behind General Beau after being caught in a three-wide position throughout.
The colt out of Manhattan Rain also went toe-to-toe with last year’s Blue Diamond winner Tagaloa in a recent hit-out at Cranbourne, making him one of the better value bets on Saturday.
Construct
Construct was the surprise place-getter on debut at Randwick last year finishing a length second to Shaquero in the Group 3 Breeders Plate.
Unfortunately, his return to the races two weeks ago wasn’t quite so inspiring finishing 8 of 11 in the Blue Diamond Prelude after finding himself too far back.
It is tough to expect much on that form and the market price well and truly reflects that.
Marine One
Marine One did well to find the placings on debut in the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington last year, but his recent efforts since returning have left a lot to be desired.
The son of Capitalist found himself too far back after beginning awkwardly first-up in the Blue Diamond Preview, while his slow start also cost him second-up in the Prelude.
Looks hard to recommend on those efforts.
Hitotsu
Hitotsu failed to make an impression on debut when seventh in the Blue Diamond Prelude a fortnight ago.
With only one race start to his name, he won’t find this any easier.
Dosh
Dual Group 3 winner Dosh is looking to become the fourth filly to complete the Fillies Preview-Blue Diamond Stakes double after battling home to beat Tayla’s Moment by half a length a fortnight ago.
Grahame Begg’s two-year-old can make it a hat-trick after holding on to win the Ottawa Stakes on debut at Flemington last year, while her winning form on both firm and soft tracks is also a huge plus.
Melbourne Cup winning jockey Jye McNeil will be in the saddle for the first time as the pair will likely push forward and battle for the lead.
Enthaar
Enthaar has been all class in two runs to date and there is no denying she is the horse to beat in the Blue Diamond Stakes.
The daughter of Written Tycoon was simply sensational on debut winning the Gimcrack by three lengths at Randwick, and she did not disappoint as the odds-on favourite in the Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield last month beating home Ingratiating by more than two lengths.
The turn of foot she’s shown from a forward position so far suggests she’ll see out the 1200m just fine, especially if Mark Zahra can offset the awkward draw and box-seat behind the leaders.
A win in the Blue Diamond would only further cement her spot as the favourite for next month’s Golden Slipper, and although punters were burned on short-priced favourite Bivouac last week in the Lightning, it’s very difficult to find fault with the credentials of this promising filly.
Arcaded
Arcaded isn’t receiving the same kind of attention as stablemates Ingratiating and Anamoe, but that isn’t to say she can’t run a race at big odds.
Her debut win at Caulfield last month was an easy watch as Damian Lane steered her to a comfortable three-length win from the inside draw.
Her second-up effort in the Fillies Blue Diamond Prelude over the same track and trip two weeks ago was even better as the pair overcame a three-wide position to put 2.5 lengths between themselves and the rest of the field.
Disregard the odds, the inside gate makes her a major player.
Wolves
Wolves has raced fairly without winning in two runs to date finishing fifth on debut in the Fillies Preview before sharply improving for third in the Fillies Prelude second up.
She’s got plenty of race fitness on her side but would need to produce something very special to trouble most of these.
Ginibi
Ginibi wasn’t disgraced on debut when fifth in the Fillies Prelude behind Arcaded a fortnight ago.
She’s clearly got plenty of upside, but is tough to recommend with only one start to her name.
Blue Diamond Stakes Tip
Enthaar at $2.45
