Search

show me:

History Is Earthquake's Biggest Obstacle

3 minute read

Boom filly Earthquake aims to join an elite league of gallopers on Saturday when she attempts to become just the sixth horse in history to complete the Blue Diamond Stakes - Golden Slipper double.

Earthquake
Earthquake Picture: Racing and Sports

Only five winners of the Blue Diamond Stakes have ever successfully completed the illustrious double from a total of 31 who have tried.

Of these 31 surprisingly only a further sixth have gone on to in fact place in the Golden Slipper further emphasising the challenge met by trainers to get their juveniles to peak twice in the space of just two months.

In 2011 Star colt Sepoy became the first galloper since Courtza in 1989 to complete this rare feat and in the process became the equal highest rated winner of the Golden Slipper in the last 20 years.

Rated 124 by Timeform, Sepoy stands alongside the Gai Waterhouse trained Dance Hero as the best we have seen in recent years with the head of Timeform Australia, Gary Crispe, confident Earthquake can take that next step.

"Earthquake lines up in the Slipper as the clear top rated Timeform juvenile with a rating of 121, a figure she ran to in both the Blue Diamond and Reisling Stakes victories," Crispe said.

"The highest Timeform rated filly to win the Golden Slipper in recent times was Bint Marscay who ran to 123 in 1993.

"Given the right conditions on Saturday, Earthquake could go to that level or even higher."

If successful on Saturday, Earthquake will also become just the 11th horse in history to remain unbeaten when taking out the feature event, with the most recent being Pierro in 2012.

Bounding Away (1986), Manikato (1978) and John's Hope (1972) remain the only other gallopers successful in completing the Golden Slipper - Blue Diamond double.


Racing and Sports
2014 Blue Diamond Stakes - Earthquake

What’s gambling really costing you?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au