The feature race at Caulfield this Saturday is the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) and the time honoured contest for the juveniles has attracted a field with a host of winning chances, with no real stand outs.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2022 Blue Diamond Stakes.
Market 💰: View the Odds for the Blue Diamond Stakes
2022 Blue Diamond Stakes Speed Map
English Riviera has good early speed and should hold a forward spot. Miss Roseiano looks the leader given she has the most early speed. Semillion is drawn quite wide and has to roll forward. Waltz On By draws gate one and should get a good sit behind the pace.
2022 Blue Diamond Stakes Runner Preview
1. Semillion: Sat on a strong fresh in the Prelude and I thought stuck to the task okay behind Lofty Strike. He’ll come on from that run…I just question how strong that form is, overall.
2. Lofty Strike: All you can do is win and that is what this horse has done in two starts. How strong is the form though? And reports of him showing signs of lameness on Thursday are far from ideal.
3. Daumier: Won the Preview on debut. I thought he was there to win the Prelude but just couldn’t quite finish it off. Blinkers on for the Grand Final. Just not sure he’s good enough.
4. Sebonack: After Sebonack won on debut here three weeks ago in the Chairmans, I was thinking it was just an okay win against an okay bunch, but after the Blue Diamond Preludes seven days later, I think he has to be rated highly. There has been nothing stand up and stand out, and always have to respect Team Hawkes when it comes to stallion making races.
5. Counttheheadlights: Counttheheadlights is the one at silly odds from the Prelude. That was just a prep run for this given the debut run came over 1200m at The Valley and he was strong to the line there, so a testing six furlongs should be no issue for him IMO and I think he’s the one that is clear value from the Preludes.
6. Jacquinot: Jacquinot is probably the best horse in this field and ability wise, is the one to beat. But, if he bombs the start like he did in the Prelude two weeks ago, he will be zero chance. He probably should have won anyway with the colt having zero luck in the straight. He’s a quality individual that’ll be charging late.
7. Rampant Lion: Has been kept on ice since a narrow second in the Preview behind Daumier. Dodged the Prelude and instead had a jumpout where he produced a sharp piece of work. Market will be interesting with him.
8. Merchant Prince: Good winner two back at Pakenham before a second at Sandown over 1300m. I think a strong 1200m will suit him. Just not sure he has the class.
9. Flashing Steel: He brings the #SF but I just don’t think he’s quite up to this level. But, I will say $251 is a crazy price. He should be half that, at least.
10. Hafey: The Preludes were won by different form, away from the Previews, and I think the big one will be won by different form, away from the Preludes. I know it was only a Bendigo maiden, but there was something about the win of Hafey that makes me think he’s pretty good. He won with such arrogance, he ran good time relative to the meeting, he had plenty in hand and has the Maher/Eustace polish, plus Williams sticks. The draw means he’ll be three/four wide with cover and he’ll be strong at the end.
11. Revolutionary Miss: Plenty to like about her effort in the Prelude when winning, although she was helped by having the pattern in her corner. She hasn’t got much upside, but just has to told her form to be around the mark.
12. Miss Roseiano: Sharp debut winner in the Preview before a gutsy second in the Prelude behind Revolutionary Miss. The query is obviously 1200m but she has the right racing pattern to give herself every chance.
13: Kiki Express: Resumed in the Prelude and though held up for a few strides, I thought she had her chance behind Revolutionary Miss. Can’t see her turning the tables even though she maps okay.
14. English Riviera: Similar boat to Miss Roseiano. Good racing style but a query at a hard six furlongs. Was part of an early speed battle in the Prelude and just tired late. Perhaps with a sit she’ll be more effective, but not sure she has the class.
15. Waltz On By: Backing up from the Talindert last Saturday where she was on speed and nabbed late. I don’t think that’s strong enough form to be winning this so looking elsewhere.
16. Seven Sisters: Caught the eye in the Prelude behind Revolutionary Miss with a decent finale. Just not sure that can be trusted given she was back doing no work and entitled to run on. Letting her go through to the keeper.
2022 Blue Diamond Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
I am siding with different form, which is with Hafey. Didn’t beat but the arrogance of the debut win was there to see and he’s in the right camp to jump out of the ground. $20 Win/$80 Place at $19/$5
Group l Strategy Outlay: $3370
Group l Strategy Return: $8920.6
