News

Diamond mission alive for Price filly

14th Feb 2011

AAP Racing - Robert Windmill - Monday, 14 February 2011

Trainer Mick Price says Holdontoyahorses will be his only runner in the Blue Diamond Stakes.

The two-year-old daughter of Dane Shadow struck trouble but escaped any harm when an eye catching fourth to the unbeaten One Last Dance in the Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield for fillies on Saturday.

Price said Holdontoyahorses' chances of winning were hindered when she got caught up in a scrimmage after Suite Success clipped heels and dislodged Michelle Payne near the 900m.

"She (Holdontoyahorses) did get involved in a bit of traffic because of the fallen horse and probably lost a length or two," Price said.

"We will push on the Blue Diamond with her and keep her fresh."

Holdontoyahorses, who is $15 with Sportingbet Australia and $13 with TAB Sportsbet for the Blue Diamond at Caulfield on February 26, was unbeaten until the Prelude with easy wins at Seymour and Caulfield.

Price has ruled out his other Blue Diamond hopes - Instinction and Big Rojo, who finished sixth and last respectively behind unbeaten colt Sepoy in the colts and geldings Prelude.

Sepoy is the dominant favourite at around $2 with most agencies ahead of One Last Dance ($7).

Mark Kavanagh, who won the 2005 Blue Diamond with Undoubtedly, said he would not have a runner in this year's feature on February 26 after the well bred Encosta De Lago filly Quench The Thirst finished eighth to One Last Dance in the fillies Prelude last Saturday.

Quench The Thirst was one of the worst affected by the fallen horse.

Meanwhile seven Blue Diamond contenders have been accepted for Wednesday's $250,000 2YO Inglis Premier (1200m) at Mornington.

Only the John McArdle-trained Delago's Lad is guaranteed a Blue Diamond run being 10th in the order of entry but he needs to convince connections at Mornington he is up to the task.

Hot Spin (21st), Bladon (22nd), Noble Twostep (23rd), Masthead (28th), Manor Lady (equal 34th) and first emergency Black Jack Boy (49th) needto win to be assured of making the Blue Diamond field.

The David Hayes-trained Bladon is also one of 10 Blue Diamond hopefuls that nominated for Saturday's Listed $100,000 Talindert Stakes (1000m) at Flemington.

Of the 10, only the 12th ranked Redangelo is guaranteed a Blue Diamond run.

Under the conditions of the Blue Diamond, the $60,000 first prize in the Talindert would safely see the winner into the final field of 16.

Other Blue Diamond entries in the Talindert Stakes are Anevay (20th), Covered In Class (26th), Petrushka (26th), Ervbefel (27th), Amour Cache (30th), Envious (equal 34th), Isopach (equal 50th) and the Hayes-trained debutant Almahaab (equal 50th).

The significant movers in the Blue Diamond order of entry over the weekend were Sydney fillies Satin Shoes (up from 15th to 4th) and Glissade (9th to 6th) and Victorian colt Running Tall (23rd to 17th).

Final acceptances for the Blue Diamond are next Tuesday with a $55,000 late entry fee payable up until noon on Monday.