More than 500 two-year-olds remain in contention for a start in next year’s Group One Blue Diamond Stakes.
First declarations for the $1 million juvenile feature closed this week with five-time Blue Diamond winning trainer David Hayes leading the charge with 47 nominations.
Mick Price, trainer of this year’s winner Samaready, has 40 youngsters entered while leading Melbourne trainer Peter Moody has 25 in the mix.
On the breeding front, Fastnet Rock is the sire of almost 10 per cent of the nominees and clearly the most highly represented.
First season sires Sebring and Northern Meteor also have significant nominees.
The 2013 Blue Diamond series kicks off with the running of the Blue Diamond Previews on Australia Day, followed by the Blue Diamond Preludes on February 9.
The Group One Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) is at Caulfield on February 23.