Blue Diamond first acceptances reach new record

Image: Bruno Cannatelli

Last years Blue Diamond Stakes winner Written By

A record 812 juveniles remain in contention for next year’s $1.5 million Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) following the closure of first acceptances on Tuesday, the figure shattering last year’s total of 706 entries.

David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig once again top the list of first acceptors with 101, the training partnership well ahead of the next best represented trainer, Tony McEvoy (65). Sydney giants Snowden Racing (54) sit third on the list of acceptors, ahead of two-time Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes winning horseman Mick Price (51) and the new training partnership of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace (51).

Champion sire I Am Invincible (49), who sired 32 individual two-year-old winners last season, just shades Snitzel (47) amongst the best represented stallions, with airborne second season sire Zoustar (41) a close third.

Zoustar’s representation among first acceptances includes Tony McEvoy’s Sisstar, a full sister to superstar filly Sunlight who ran strongly on debut in the Ottawa Stakes. Other notable first acceptances include By A Whisker, the Lindsay Park-trained colt who is a full brother to 2017 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes winner Catchy and unbeaten Gary Portelli colt Time To Reign, a half-brother to champion sprinter She Will Reign.

Early season Victorian two-year-old winners amongst the first acceptances include Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s Inglis Banner winner Espaaniyah and Maribyrnong Trial winner Unite And Conquer. Mick Price’s Merson Cooper Stakes winner Steal My Kisses and Ciaron Maher’s Ottawa Stakes winner Bella Rossa are also entered.

Anaheed’s dominant four-length Victory Vein Plate win on debut has convinced Peter and Paul Snowden to pay the $5,500 first late entry fee for their Fastnet Rock filly, while connections of unraced Zoustar filly My Blue Wings, to be trained by Chris Meagher, have also paid the late entry.

The 2019 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes series commences with the Blue Diamond Previews (1000m; Group 3 for fillies, Listed for colts and geldings) on January 26, followed by Preludes (1100m; Group 2 for fillies, Group 3 for colts and geldings) on February 9, culminating two weeks later in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes over 1200 metres on Saturday, 23 February 2019.

All horses originally nominated for next year’s Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes will remain eligible for the 2019 Group 3 Catanach’s Jewellers Blue Sapphire Stakes, even if their nomination lapses at the first, second, third or final acceptance stage.

Second declarations for the 2019 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes close at 12pm noon (AEDT) on Tuesday January 8, 2019.