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269 of the nation’s best two-year-olds will carry the hopes of trainers, jockeys and connections alike as they attempt to claim February 20’s $1.5 million Neds Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) after the closure of second acceptances on Tuesday.
Global powerhouse Godolphin have flexed their considerable muscle with 28 second acceptors, by far the most of any stable, the team having last claimed the Blue Diamond in 2019 with Lyre and finishing runner-up last year with Hanseatic. Their string this year is headlined by flying filly Frost Flowers , who rocketed up Neds' all-in betting after a dominant win down the straight on New Year's Day.
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace's stable will undoubtedly play a key role throughout the upcoming Neds Blue Diamond Stakes Series, lodging 18 second acceptances of their own. Having lined-up an incredible six two-year-olds in the $1.5 million feature in 2020, the Caulfield locals have so far dominated the two-year-old ranks this season with seven juvenile winners.
Neds' early $3.80 Blue Diamond Stakes favourite Enthaar headlines all acceptors from their yard after a dashing victory in the Gimcrack Stakes (1000m), while Inglis Nursery (1000m) winner Acrobat has also been accepted with alongside Magic Millions Debutant Stakes (1000m) winner Fake Love.
Resurgent trainer Robbie Griffiths has accepted with a sizeable team of 18 in conjunction with his new training partner Matthew de Kock, while Lindsay Park are represented by a strong contingent of 15.
Grahame Begg will again shoot for Blue Diamond success after the victory of super colt Written By in 2018, this time boasting smart filly Dosh who was green but ultra-impressive in winning the Ottawa Stakes (1000m) on VRC Oaks Day. Written By's sire Written Tycoon continues to prove popular in 2021, with 14 of his sons and daughters among second acceptances.
However, no stallion comes close in popularity to super sire I Am Invincible who leads the way with 19 second acceptors. In what has become a common occurrence over the last three years, I Am Invincible (19) and Snitzel (13) are both heavily represented, the pair having sired four of the 15 runners in last year's Blue Diamond between them and five of the 14 runners in 2019.
Rookie sire Capitalist has hit the ground running at stud and a Blue Diamond Stakes victory for one of his 13 of his progeny still in contention would see his popularity skyrocket. His crop includes Flemington straight track winner Profiteer who will likely head to the Neds Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for in-form duo Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr) on January 26.
The Blue Diamond Previews (1000m; Group 3 for fillies, Listed for colts and geldings) on January 26 mark the official start of the 2021 Neds Blue Diamond Stakes Series, they are followed by the Preludes (1100m; Group 2 for fillies, Group 3 for colts and geldings) on February 6, with the Series climaxing two weeks later with the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes over 1200 metres on Saturday, 20 February 2021.
