Trainer Robbie Griffiths may have stolen a potential Blue Diamond after the debut win of Burnstone at Sandown.
The son of Redoute’s Choice, ridden by Damian Lane, was impressive scoring a 3-1/2 length victory in the Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for colts and geldings on Monday.
A $40,000 yearling purchase, Burnstone is on a path to the Group One Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 28.
Griffiths said he would see how Burnstone comes out of the debut win before deciding if he will tackle the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) a fortnight earlier.
Griffiths paid $220,000 for Burnstone’s older brother, but a freak accident had claimed the colt before making it to the racetrack.
Before it was established, Burnstone was a windsucker.
Griffiths thought he may have picked up the colt for $100,000 as he was a little smaller than the brother, but hardly a bid was given for the colt when it was announced he was a windsucker.
“We paraded up and down and really liked him,” Griffiths said.
“When the Arrowfield guys announced he was a windsucker it didn’t worry me and because no one was bidding. The hammer went down at 40 (thousand).
“He’s got a stallions pedigree. He’s out of a Group One performed daughter of Merlene who won a Golden Slipper.”
Griffiths said Burnstone had gone into Monday’s race with just one 800m trial under his belt and there was plenty of room to move forward.
Lane was impressed with the acceleration Burnstone ($12) showed, taking advantage of an inside run.
“I walked the track and it wasn’t that great to be on the fence, but it’s so beneficial for two-year-olds to give them something to follow and I didn’t think it was worth giving it away,” Lane said.
