Sepoy will start the shortest priced Blue Diamond Stakes favourite in 30 years
After the 2011 Blue Diamond Stakes final field of 14 two-year-olds was released Tuesday morning, Peter Snowden’s son of Elusive Quality firmed into the $1.60 top elect in the Blue Diamond odds at Luxbet.
Further improving Sepoy’s claims of a Blue Diamond hat-trick on Saturday is the ideal barrier five draw he came up with shortly after.
Mark Zahra has been aboard for all three of Sepoy’s impressive career wins to date, but the favourite will see a change of jockey’s for the Blue Diamond with Kerrin McEvoy booked for the ride.
McEvoy is the number one rider for Sepoy’s owner Sheikh Mohammed and so was given first dibs on for the Blue Diamond mount.
Saturday is McEvoy’s chance for a second Blue Diamond Stakes win after the hoop rode True Jewels to victory in the 2001 Blue Diamond Stakes.
Snowden is yet to see success in the Blue Diamond Stakes arena.
If Sepoy extends his string of wins to four on Saturday and becomes the Blue Diamond Stakes winner, he will become the first horse since Bel Esprit in 2002 to win the Blue Diamond Preview / Prelude and Stakes Triple.
Bel Esprit was also the last odds-on favourite to win the Blue Diamond after they started at $2, the shortest-priced winner since being Alinghi who scored at $2.15 in 2004.
Sepoy’s superiority over his rivals is evident looking at his winning margins, 3 ½ lengths in both the Blue Diamond Preview and Prelude.
This combined with the fact he has two Caulfield runs and wins whereas the bulk of his rivals are yet to taste success at the track make Sepoy the deserved favourite and the one to beat.
If the punters continue to Sepoy in the Blue Diamond markets, he could become the shortest priced favourite since Rancher who won the 1982 Blue Diamond Stakes as the $1.40 favourite.
The 2011 Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes is scheduled as Caulfield Race 7 on Saturday due to jump at 4:10pm (AEDST).
For the complete Blue Diamond Stakes odds and markets visit premier online bookmaker Luxbet today!
2011 Blue Diamond Stakes FInal Field & Odds
| No. | Horse (Barrier) | Luxbet Odds | $400 Free Bet Win |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SEPOY (5) | 1.60 | $640 |
| 2 | MASTHEAD (13) | 31 | $12,400 |
| 3 | ARCTIC COMMAND (10) | 41 | $16,400 |
| 4 | DELAGO’S LAD (9) | 21 | $8,400 |
| 5 | GRAND BRITANNIA (11) | 41 | $16,400 |
| 6 | ATOMIC (2) | 11 | $4,400 |
| 7 | RUNNING TALL (1) | 17 | $6,800 |
| 8 | ENVIOUS (8) | 31 | $12,400 |
| 9 | ANEVAY (3) | 21 | $8,400 |
| 10 | SPECTROLITE (14) | 101 | $40,400 |
| 11 | HOLDONTOYAHORSES (7) | 19 | $7,600 |
| 12 | HELPING HAND (12) | 201 | $80,400 |
| 13 | MEONYMY (6) | 34 | $13,600 |
| 14 | HALLOWELL BELLE (4) | 9.00 | $3,600 |
*Your free bet can be wagered on any fixed odds market with a dividend of $1.50 or greater.
Note: Odds are subject to change and correct at time of publication. All prices are Fixed Win.
Photo courtesy (c) Taron Clarke Photography
