Blue Diamond Stakes: Pro punter preview, top pick and lay

It’s the premier race for two-year-old horses in Victoria. First run in 1971, the Blue Diamond Stakes is a Group 1 race over 1200 metres for two-year-olds at Caulfield. Total prizemoney is $1.5 million. The race is run in late February on one of the premier days of the Melbourne autumn racing carnival, which also features the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate and the Group 1 Futurity Stakes.

Blue Diamond 2022: Trevor Lawson’s Preview

Speed: The race is generally two-year-olds going to 1200 metres for the first time, so the speed will be pretty good. They basically go like cut cats and I don’t penalise anything on the map. From there, it often becomes a case of who can run out the 1200 metres… some simply can’t yet. Some will pull up at the 1000 metres and that can give the backmarkers a chance to get into it.

Prices courtesy of TopSport at time of publication.

SEMILLION [$17] had every possible chance first-up. He’s drawn wide here so will have to do some work in the race. A rough chance for mine.

LOFTY STRIKE [SCRATCHED] was suited by the tempo last start when strong late. 1200m holds no fears. Should get the tempo to suit here and looks hard to beat. Update: Has reportedly presented with lameness on Thursday morning, which obviously places a huge doubt over him.

DAUMIER [$12] is a consistent type who has had every chance at both his both starts. The blinkers go on for the first time here. He’s only a rough chance for mine however.

SEBONACK [$70] won nicely on debut. The late sectionals weren’t anything fantastic however and he is jumping to 1200 metres. I’m happy to risk him at the odds.

COUNTTHEHEADLIGHTS [$16] missed the kick last start and worked home okay. He won on debut over 1200 metres. Certainly one of the chances.

JACQUINOT [$4.40] won well on debut over 1200 metres. He missed the start when resuming. He’ll get back here and will be strong late. One of the chances.

RAMPANT LION [$21] ran okay first-up, albeit over 1000 metres. Jumps to 1200 metres here. Only a rough chance for mine.

HAFEY [$16] is hard to get a line on. He won a Bendigo maiden with his head on its chest, but the sectionals weren’t anything fantastic. Only a rough chance.

REVOLUTIONARY MISS [$5.50] was strong late at her first Victorina start. 1200 metres is no issues and she’ll be strong late. The horse to beat.

🗣️”She’s bombproof, every run she’s had, she’s shown some quality in each, she’s been waiting for 1200 all the way along”

Good push from Peter Snowden with REVOLUTIONARY MISS ahead of the Blue Diamond on Saturday.#Bensley@AndrewBensley @SnowdenRacing1 pic.twitter.com/r2TlSfFtJR

— SENTrack (@SEN_track) February 23, 2022

MISS ROSEIANO [$9.50] rated well on debut then rated slightly down at her last stare. She’ll race on the pace here. Has some chance.

KIKI EXPRESS [$41] gets a decent run on the map, but only looks a rough chance in this.

ENGLISH RIVIERA [$18] went way too hard in front last start. She gets a tongue tie on here. She has a rough chance if she can settle with cover.

What a dazzling run by Alinghi in the 2004 Blue Diamond… pic.twitter.com/M9YvD3i786

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 20, 2022

WALTZ ON BY [$17] had every possible chance at her last two starts. I’m not sure she has the class for this.

SEVEN SISTERS [$31] worked home nicely last start, suggesting this trip would suit. But she’ll get a long way back and will have to pass a lot of quick ones..

MERCHANT PRINCE [$61] and FLASHING STEEL [$91] are outclassed here

Verdict I agree with the market in that it’s a wide-open race. I’ve got Revolutionary Miss on top followed by Jacquinot and Miss Roseiano. If you’re looking for a lay, I’d suggest Sebonack is under the odds and I’m happy to risk him at the price.