3 minute read
Melbourne’s biggest juvenile race is the Blue Diamond Stakes run at Caulfield on Saturday.
Sepoy did the big double and was last to do it. Could it happen again starting with the 2021 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday?
2021 Blue Diamond Stakes: Nominations
2021 BLUE DIAMOND STAKES - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Blue Diamond Stakes is a Group 1 race for two-year-olds and is Victoria's premier race for the juveniles run over 1200m at Caulfield.
Initiated in 1971, the Blue Diamond was first won by Tolerance.
The Blue Diamond is a Set Weights race run in conjunction with the G1 Oakleigh Plate and the G1 Futurity Stakes.
It was worth $1,500,000 in 2021.
It was run at Flemington in 1996, when won by Paint, due to the reconstruction of Caulfield.
The Blue Diamond follows on from a series of Caulfield lead ups being the Previews and Preludes and is followed by the VRC Sires. It also serves as a form guide for the Golden Slipper at Rosehill in Sydney.
The Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies)/Blue Diamond double has been done by the likes of Miracles Of Life (2013) and Midnight Fever (1987).
The Blue Diamond Preview (Colts & Geldings)/Blue Diamond double has been done by the likes of Sepoy (2011), Reward For Effort (2009), Reaan (2008), Bel Esprit (2002), Knowledge (1997), Zedative (1988) and Rancher (1982).
The Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies)/Blue Diamond double has been done by the likes of Lyre (2019), Catchy (2017), Earthquake (2014), Samaready (2012), Alinghi (2004), Lady Jakeo (1993) and Midnight Fever (1987).
The Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts & Geldings)/Blue Diamond double has been done by the likes of Written By (2018), Sepoy (2011), Bel Esprit (2002), and Rancher (1982).
Fillies have held their own in recent years with 8 of the last 22 plus Roedean was first but lost on disqualification.
Not a great race for favourites before a turn around in recent times. Alinghi and Bel Esprit were two of recent years to take the mantle successfully into and out of the race.
Tagaloa's win in 2020 was significant in that he was by elite Japanese horse Lord Kanaloa from a Japanese mare as well.
Dwayne Dunn had four wins in a row – 2005-2008.
David Hayes had a near similar streak going winning three (Reaan/Sleek Chassis/Nadeen) and Lindsay Park had won previously with the likes of Principality, Canonise, Mahaasin & Midnight Fever amongst others. Catchy won again for him in 2017.
Sepoy was the first to do the Diamond & Slipper double since Courtza in 1989.
Sepoy was the first since Bel Esprit to win the Preview/Prelude/Diamond.
Several Golden Slipper winners in recent seasons have been placed such as Miss Finland, Flying Spur & Canny Lad (Crystal Lily sixth).
Other notable winners of the Blue Diamond include John's Hope, Blazing Saddles, Manikato, Bounding Away, Courtza and Redoute's Choice.
The 2020 Blue Diamond Stakes was won by Tagaloa from Hanseatic and Personal.
