News

Blue Diamond likely to be job for Boys

24th Jan 2011

The Daily Telegraph - Brent Zerafa - Tuesday, 25 January 2011

PATINACK Farm trainer John Thompson has cast doubt over whether his Blue Diamond hot-pot Pane In The Glass will even travel to Melbourne for the $1 million Group One race at Caulfield next month.

Pane In The Glass firmed from $9 to $4.60 favourite on the back of her win in the Inglis Classic last Saturday but may be kept in Sydney with unraced Boys On Tour to fly the stable flag in the Blue Diamond.

"It's [Blue Diamond] very doubtful," Thompson said. "We will probably give her another little freshen up and head towards the Golden Slipper in April."

Boys On Tour, a $12 chance to win the Blue Diamond, drew the extreme outside barrier in the field of 10 for tomorrow's Blue Diamond Preview at Caulfield.

The General Nediym gelding won a barrier trial by five lengths at Randwick back in September but didn't get to the races because of shin soreness.

"He probably will need the run first up but he's a horse of the future," Thompson said. "It is a bit hard to compare him to Pane In The Glass. They have never worked together or been in at the same time."

Jockey James Winks was in Sydney riding at the Warwick Farm barrier trials yesterday and was of the same opinion that Boys On Tour would definitely improve after tomorrow.

"He has the class to win the race but the Blue Diamond is his grand final and I'd say there will be good improvement in him," Winks said.

"From barrier 10 the plan will be to go back and let him attack the line."