The John Salanitri-trained Sheer Madness has gained a start in Saturday’s 2017 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes following the early scratching of Spoils.
Spoils (outside) has been scratched from the 2017 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes field. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Locally-trained Moshe gelding Sheer Madness will line-up from barrier seven at Caulfield Racecourse in the $1.5 million Group 1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) with jockey Stephen Baster getting his ninth ride in the two-year-olds’ classic.
Updated Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au have Sheer Madness listed as a $101 roughie after a ninth in the Group 3 Blue Diamond C&G Prelude (1100m) on February 11.
Spoils meanwhile won’t line-up in the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes field for Clinton McDonald, the Snitzel filly last seen running third in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (1000m).
She was drawn the outside barrier, which hasn’t produced a Blue Diamond Stakes winner in over 30 years.
The Lindsay Park-trained Blue Diamond Fillies Prelude winner Catchy, after the double last achieved by Earthquake (2014), remains favourite in the markets at $5.
She will line-up from barrier 13 with Craig Williams in the saddle chasing his maiden Blue Diamond Stakes winning ride.
Co-trainer David Hayes has prepared five previous Blue Diamond Stakes winners and could be set to dominate the race again this weekend with Catchy one of six in the mix for the stable.
There has also been money in Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes betting for fellow Lindsay Park-trained filly Tulip, the daughter of Pierro backed in from $9 to $6.
Drawn a treat in barrier eight, Tulip was narrowly beaten on January 26 when going down to Limestone by a nose in the Blue Diamond Preview.
She has had four weeks between runs and Damien Oliver is booked for the ride this weekend.
Miracles Of Life (2013) was the last filly to back directly off a Preview run to win the Blue Diamond Stakes and Hayes’ has deliberately spaced the runs of Tulip this autumn leading up to the Group 1.
The price on Property has eased out from $6 to $7 for the Robert Smerdon-trained Starcraft gelding to post his third win on the trot.
He comes off the Preview – Prelude double and jumps from barrier three with the Hong Kong-based ‘Magic Man’ Joao Moreira booked for the ride.
Smerdon is out to break a Blue Diamond Stakes drought with his only win in the race to date being with Let’s Get Physical back in 1985.
The Caulfield horseman is full of confidence heading into the classic this weekend after the gun barrier draw for $55,000 late Blue Diamond Stakes entry Property.
“He’s improved with every start and he’s ready to peak,” Smerdon told the Herald Sun.
“It’s no surprise to me that’s Property’s done what he’s done.
“He’s done everything right and he’s improving with racing. I don’t think it’s a year with a standout and he’s one of five or six right in the mix.”
The other single-figure hopes in Blue Diamond Stakes betting this season are the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Group 3 winner in Sydney Pariah ($6.50), Formality ($7.50) who is another undefeated Fastnet Rock filly for Hayes and the gun Ciaron Maher-trained Inglis winner over the distance Jukebox ($7.50).
Check out the latest Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes 2017 markets below before heading to race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au for Enhanced Odds on every runner (T&Cs apply).
