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A record 1767 rising two-year-olds have been nominated for the 2020 Blue Diamond Stakes, amongst them bloodlines linked to some greats of the turf.
The entry figure shatters last year's record total of 1688 nominations, setting a new benchmark for the $1.5 million event to be run at Caulfield on February 22.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace partnership top the list of Blue Diamond nominators for the first time with the co-trainers entering 132 yearlings in pursuit of a maiden Blue Diamond Stakes title.
The Lindsay Park team of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig have entered 126 yearlings with Peter and Paul Snowden third with 101.
Godolphin have nominated 85 yearlings including blueblood colt Namazu and filly Jadida, both being out of Blue Diamond winners Earthquake and Miracles Of Life.
Sydney's premier trainer Chris Waller's 84 nominations include a half-sister to his champion mare Winx named Covent Garden, a half-brother to retired superstar Shoals and a regally-bred colt by Deep Impact out of the champion filly Miss Finland.
Boom sire I Am Invincible is the best represented stallion with 98 of his progeny in Blue Diamond contention.
Leading Victorian stallion Written Tycoon, sire of 2018 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Written By, is next with 88, followed by Snitzel (73), Zoustar (64) and the in-demand Vancouver (56).
A total of 208 yearlings are also eligible to win the 2020 Inglis Blue Diamond Bonus.
The $500,000 bonus will be split equally between catalogued vendor and supplier if a yearling sold at the 2019 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale wins the 2020 Blue Diamond Stakes.
The 2020 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes series commences with the Blue Diamond Previews over 1000m on January 25 followed by the Preludes over 1100m on February 8.
