Closer To Free has emerged as a Blue Diamond contender following his debut win at Caulfield on Saturday.
A stylish Caulfield Heath trial winner last month for Adrian Corboy, Closer To Free was purchased on the strength of that trial by Danny O’Brien and stepped out for the first time in the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) for colts and geldings on Saturday.
As much as $201 had been bet about Closer To Free in early markets on the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 21, but the colt has shortened into $7 second pick following Saturday’s brave victory.
Trainer Danny O’Brien said he had been toying with saving Closer To Free for the Talindert Stakes (1100m) at Flemington next Saturday, but following some nice work on Wednesday morning said he would be mad not to start the two-year-old in Saturday’s race.
Riding the speed throughout under Michael Dee, Closer To Free ($13) scored by a length from the $2.20 favourite Guest House with Eternal Warrior ($6) a short-head away third.
O’Brien was impressed with Closer To Free before the colt had trialled.
“I saw him in the mounting yard before the trial because I had one in it and Adrian is one of the best, if not the best, breakers and he does all of our yearlings,” O’Brien said.
“I asked him what he was doing down here and he said he was trialling this one with the potential to sell him.
“Before the horse left the mounting yard after the trial, I walked back with him and saw how easily he’d taken it. As Adrian was hosing the horse down, I bought him.
“He’s a beautiful colt and he’s got a proper pedigree. With Street Boss, his first three dams were all two-year-old stakes winners, so there is plenty to like about him.”
The Clinton McDonald-trained Streisand was promoted to the fourth line of Blue Diamond betting at $9 after winning the fillies’ division of the Prelude.
Ridden by Jamie Melham, Streisand, the $3 favourite, registered a three-quarter length win from Chayan ($51) with I Am Aria ($7.50) a short-neck away third.
Streisand had a checkered run when out of the placings in the Blue Diamond Preview (1000m), but Melham took bad luck out of the equation by having the filly riding the speed.
McDonald and Melham won the Diamond two years ago with Hayasugi, however Melham is likely to give way to husband Ben when the race is run in two weeks’ time.
“She’ll go a long way in the Diamond,” McDonald said.
“I think she’s got the right mental aptitude for it and the toughness. I’ve said all the way along she’s a bit like Hayasugi, understated, tough.
“This one has a bit more bitch about her, I suppose, a bit more temperamental whereas Hayasugi was a sweetheart.
“We’re happy to put up with her and we’re looking forward to the next two weeks.”
