The tight squeeze for a run in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) is heating up with connections of a number of entrants pondering whether to run at Mornington this Wednesday or at Morphettville or Flemington this Saturday.
On Wednesday, the Inglis Premier (1200m) will be run at Mornington.
Seven Blue Diamond contenders are entered, with only Delago’s Lad guaranteed a run.
Hot Spin (21st), Bladon (22nd), Noble Twostep (23rd), Masthead (28th), Manor Lady (34th) and Black Jack Boy (49th) need to win to ensure they get a Blue Diamond start.
At Morphettville on Saturday, two Blue Diamond contenders are entered for the Listed Queen Adelaide Stakes (1050m).
These are Motifs (16th) and Amour Cache (30th).
The Talindert Stakes (1100m) at Flemington is the final opportunity for horses to stake their claim for a spot in the Blue Diamond.
Won last year by Star Witness – albeit when it was run two weeks earlier – it could provide one runner with the chance to back up into the Blue Diamond seven days later.
Ten Blue Diamond entrants are also entered for the Talindert, but only one is guaranteed a run at Caulfield – that being Redangelo.
Anevay (20th), Covered In Class (26th), Petrushka (26th), Ervbefel (27th), Amour Cache (30th), Envious (34th), Isopach (50th) and the unraced Almahaab (50th) all need to win to guarantee a run in the Blue Diamond.
After the Preludes on the weekend, the order of entry has become much clearer.
The top two in betting, Sepoy and One Last Dance, are both exempt from ballot.
Of those in the top 20 entrants, the only horses which definitely won’t run are Pane in the Glass (3rd), Helmet (13th) and Bossdon City (14th).
The picture may become cloudier if any late entries are taken.
Golden Archer, Atomic and Hollyweird are possible late entries, although all have been labelled unlikely by their respective trainers.
Acceptances for Saturday’s Blue Diamond Stakes will be taken next Tuesday.
Written by Andrew Hawkins
