Big Sky, the current second favourite for the $2 million Blue Diamond Stakes, faces an interesting test in what will be his second career start in the Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.
Five of the eight opponents lining up to clash with the Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr) trained runner, who won emphatically on debut, are first-timers, literally meaning they could be anything. Remember these are two-year-olds we are talking about which any trainer will tell you are mostly a day-to-day proposition early in their preparation.
For all of that, Big Sky remains a dominant $1.95 favourite with bookmakers for the Chairmans’. Only one other runner, the Graeme Begg trained debutant Jadzia ($4.80), is quoted at odds of under $10.
In an interview with Racing.com, Ben Melham, who will ride Big Sky on Saturday, gave some insight into the character of Big Sky at this time.
“He’s a bit of a funny one, because he races with his head in an awkward position, but he’s not necessarily going too hard in himself,” explained Melham.
“It’s just an immaturity thing a little bit with him, but the engine is certainly there with him … he’s made good progression out of his first run … he’ll be better again on Saturday … and, yeah, he’s well and truly up to a Diamond as well.
“I actually trialled him a couple of times before he went to the races,” continued Melham. “Unfortunately, I couldn’t ride him (in Big Sky’s first start) … I was at the Gold Coast. It was no surprise to see him winning the way he did.
“He has come through that run very well and I expect him to be hard to beat again.”
In a possible interesting twist, Jordan Childs, was in the saddle in Big Sky’s debut win, gives way to Melham on Saturday, but moves to the Jadzia, the clear second favourite, suggesting that, if Big Sky was to come up short on the day, Childs could play a pivotal part in the downfall of the horse he cruised to victory on last time out.
Jadzia has had one jump-out and one trial (which she won) in preparation for her debut assignment on Saturday.
Invincible Son, who will be ridden by Jamie Melham, and La Gitana, who will be ridden by Damian Lane, both sit on the third line of betting at $10.
