Trainer Mick Price’s chances of collecting a third Blue Diamond Stakes have been enhanced following the barrier draw for Victoria’s premier two-year-old contest.
Price, who won the Group 1 contest for two-year-olds with Extreme Choice in 2016 and Samaready in 2012, has two colts heading to Caulfield’s Group 1 contest over 1200m on Saturday.
Now in a training partnership with Michael Kent Jnr, the Cranbourne based trainers will saddle Guest House and Big Sky with the pair drawing three and five respectively in the 16-horse field which sees four emergencies.
Should the emergencies not gain a start, Guest House will jump from gate two with Big Sky outside him in barrier three.
The pair sit one-two in revised betting markets after the draw. Big Sky is the $4 top pick with Guest House firming from $5.50 into $5 while debut winner Closer To Free on the third line at $6.50 ahead of Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Unit Five at $7.
Price has a leaning towards Guest House while Big Sky in undefeated in two starts.
“In all my time of watching races, if something duff’s the start, locks onto the bridle, pulls double, sits there deep, exposed, they run second last, not second,” Price said.
“I couldn’t believe he ran second (in the Prelude) and I thought that was indicative of his capacity at his second start and I thought it was a huge effort.
“I think if he bounces good, gets his sectionals right and is allowed to get his best sectional in his last 300 (metres), then he’s going to be hard to beat.
“I think it’s a good gate for Big Sky. I think he is a more polite horse.
“Jordan Childs rides him for the first time, and he has a good set of hands.
“I like the way he rides, and I think he will get him pretty right.”
Price said Guest House does not know his own strength adding trying to win the Blue Diamond after two starts the stable had not had sufficient time to try and quiet him down.
He said in an ideal world he would like to send Guest House for some equestrian work but believes if he gets it right under race conditions, he will be hard to beat.
Price said this year’s pair were more difficult to train than his previous two winners.
“Samaready, Extreme Choice, even Flying Artie, they were no trouble,” Price said.
“These two are a bit more challenging. Timing wise, it’s perfect, they’ve got to turn up on race day.”
