They were the two most talked-about horses going into the race and stablemates Extreme Choice and Flying Artie didn’t disappoint in giving trainer Mick Price a one-two finish in Blue Diamond Stakes.
Extreme Choice maintained his unbeaten record as he sprinted to a convincing 1-3/4 lengths win under Craig Newitt who picked up the ride on the favourite when Damien Oliver chose runner-up Flying Artie.
Extreme Choice
The result gave Price his second Blue Diamond triumph after he and Newitt also combined in 2012 with Samaready.
Price also had Roedean first past the post in 2003 but he lost the race because of a positive swab.
Extreme Choice ($2.70) made his own luck. He sat wide near the speed and coasted to the front at the home turn.
As he was about to make his winning run, second favourite Flying Artie ($5) was carted wide before finishing gamely.
Zamzam ($26) led in the chasers but was another 4-1/4 lengths away third.
“They are two good colts,” Price said.
“I saw the second horse got speared off at the top of the straight and I thought, ‘poor bugger’. He just had no luck.
“But all credit to Extreme Choice. Today was the day where he had an opportunity to really stand up.
“I think today we got a lot of information about the horse and we’re off to the (Golden) Slipper.
Price said training the Blue Diamond quinella at Caulfield on Saturday would be nearly as good as if he could land the Golden Slipper with either colt.
Newitt is confident Extreme Choice can do it.
“It never felt like he was going to lose,” Newitt said.
While Oliver’s decision to ride Flying Artie didn’t turn out how he would have liked, he said the colt was high-class and a better barrier would make a big difference.
“The horse was still a bit fresh and the bump on the turn didn’t help his cause. I haven’t lost any faith in the horse,” he said.
