Gai Waterhouse leads nominators for next year’s Blue Diamond Stakes after entries were officially released on Friday.
Out of 1061 yearlings nominated for the Melbourne Racing Club’s Group One two-year-old classic, Waterhouse has 72 entries.
She will be trying to go one better after No Looking Back finished second to Samaready in this year’s edition.
Samaready’s trainer Mick Price has 58 nominations while Peter Moody has entered 50 youngsters.
Darley Australia has 68 in the race, one more than David Hayes.
Leading sire Fastnet Rock tops the stallion list with 73 of his progeny entered.
Breeding and racing operation Patinack Farm didn’t nominate its yearling crop for the $1 million race at Caulfield on February 23.
It’s a policy the Nathan Tinkler-backed thoroughbred concern also adopted ahead of entries for next year’s Golden Slipper.
The move is expected to save Patinack Farm at least $120,000 in nominations and will allow trainer John Thompson to assess the strength of his team before deciding to part with late entry fees.
