We get the best of both worlds this weekend with the first of the Group 1s in Sydney and Victoria’s richest two-year-old race the Blue Diamond at Caulfield.
The big wet striking Sydney and Brisbane ensures heavy tracks at both venues, while at this stage the forecast for Melbourne is a chance of showers but fingers crossed no heavy rain.
Let’s try and find some winners from our TRL Trainers.
BABIES CHASING DIAMONDS
Huge interest for TRL owners in the Blue Diamond, with the Vic Husslers owned Eureka Storm dead-heating with the Lucky Strike in a Cranbourne jumpout before “Eureka” went shin sore and to the paddock.
Trainer Mick Price has a massive opinion of Eureka Storm and we reckon Price can win the Diamond with Jacquinot, who’ll get back from a wide gate but with luck in the straight will fly over the top.
Mick should also be celebrating victory in the Futurity with I’m Thunderstruck. He was ridden back first-up in the Orr and the slow pace up front worked against him, happy to take the $3.90 at Sportsbet.
BET: I’m Thunderstruck – WIN (Race 6 Caulfield)
BET: Jacquinot – Each Way (Race 7 Caulfield)
BET: Mahrez – Each Way (Race 3 Caulfield)
MOODY IN THE FORBIDDEN CITY
Vic Husslers trainer Peter Moody has a couple of great chances at Caulfield at good odds.
Forbidden City (Race 4) caught everyone’s attention with a super impressive first-up win at Sandown and there’s no reason why the filly won’t step up from that midweek domination.
Sportsbet is offering $11 Oxley Road (Race 8) who is now down in the weights and will fly home late trying to catch the favourite Marabi.
BET: Forbidden City – Each Way (Race 4 Caulfield)
BET: Oxley Road – Each Way (Race 8 Caulfield)
BUSUTTIN HAS RICH HIPS
The Vic Husslers training combo of Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young have fond memories of Blue Diamond day winning with Tagaloa in 2020, they don’t have a runner in the big one but do have Rich Hips in Race 2.
Rich Hips won this race last year first-up, has won 3 of 5 fresh and will give it an enormous shake.
BET: Rich Hips – Each Way (Caulfield Race 2)
MAHER & EUSTACE EMBRACE
The all-powerful Ciaron Maher/Dave Eustace yard has a strong hand in both the two-year-old races at Rosehill Gardens which is rated a Heavy 9 at the time of writing with more rain expected on race day.
The super filly Coolangatta is coming back after her Magic Millions success and should remain undefeated if she gets through the going.
El Padrino (Race 4) does have a win on a soft track to his credit and although unplaced was pretty good in the Inglis Millenium.
Through Irish Eyes (Race 9) is a promising stayer on the rise for the stable, he was good last start over 1600m but should improve greatly over the 2000m.
BET: Coolangatta – Win (Rosehill Race 3)
BET: El Padrino – Each Way (Rosehill Race 4)
BET: Through Irish Eyes – Each Way (Rosehill Race 9)
THE FREEDMAN’S IN FORBIDDEN LOVE
Michael and Richard Freedman have a very good mare on their hands in Forbidden Love. She has to tackle a superior wet tracker in Icebath but was good first-up running second to Overpass and has been kept up to the mark with another soft trial.
BET: Forbidden Love – Each Way (Rosehill Race 6)
HEATHCOTE AIMING FOR THE STARS
Qld Rogues trainer Rob Heathcote is hoping his gallant filly Startantes can through the heavy ground at Rosehill. She was luckless last start in the Light Fingers and deserves to win a big one in Sydney.
Back home at Doomben, you’ll have to be patient but Rob produces the very honest Stuttering in the last of the day.
He’s rock hard fit and is 2 from 2 on heavy tracks. He’s currently $8.50 with Sportsbet, definitely have something each way.
BET: Startantes – Each Way (Rosehill Race 8)
BET: Stuttering – Each Way (Doomben Race 10)
Good Luck and good punting!
TK