Sport

Payney’s Punt | Blue Diamond Stakes Day preview and tips

By Aydin Payne

Feb 23, 2023

Bring it on: Barber and Lindsay Park Racing’s Little Brose will butt heads again on Saturday in the Blue Diamond Stakes. Picture: Racing Photos Photo by Pat Scala

Payney’s Punt returns from a four-week let-up to tackle this weekend’s smorgasbord of racing at Sandown.

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Nine races greet us on Saturday with three Group Ones for us punters to feast on.

Racing should be done on a Good 4 or Good 3 track with the sun set to shine on Sandown Lakeside with the rail in its true position.

We would be lying to our faithful if we said that we spent a solid couple of hours of studying the form like resident punting guru Ron Anderson, so this week due to other commitments we have instead opted for a Zac Standish method of pick the best looking fillies and colts.

And remember, if you are looking to slap down some gold ones and lobsters on Saturday please remember to do so responsibly.

Race 1. 12.35pm - Victoria Gold Cup (2100m)

All but three runners are returning from a spell in the opener and there’s plenty of love for Right You Are (6) who should jump odds-on favourite. Is looking to extend an unbeaten run to four-straight wins. Was last seen absolutely bolting it in last start over 1800m and won by four lengths. Is fit and firing and should prove hard to beat. If you want to try and grab some value with any exotics, we think High Emocean (3) provides it. Generally runs a strong race when fresh and has three placings from five attempts. Ran third over 2000m when first-up last year. Did finish third in the Melbourne Cup in November.

Top tip: Right You Are

Race 2. 1.10pm Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m)

It looks like a ripping edition of the Group Two Angus Armanasco Stakes. There should be some early race speed coming from She’s Licketysplit (1), Royal Merchant (4) and few more wider runners. This could help play into the hands of those settling midfield or further back. One of those is favourite Shuffle Dancer (3) who comes in off a soft win last start. Has built an impressive resume from five starts. Has placed in all four runs this prep. We have looked to Call Di (8) to provide a boost to the account early in the day at nice odds. Won last start when fresh in good time and showed a great turn of foot. That form looks to have stacked up. Drops down in weight and Ollie has booked the ride. Should find a nice sit from barrier six. Opting for an each-way play.

Top tip: Call Di (EW)

Race 3. 1.45pm - Mannerism Stakes (1400m)

A small field greets us in the Group Three Mannerism Stakes with a stack of value to be found. Turaath (4) is one of our favourites and is worth a look here. Five wins from 10 attempts over this trip and first-up run was class behind Jigsaw. Didn’t stack up in Group One class last start and finds it easier here. I think this mare will put in a bold showing. She has won third-up before and ran fourth when at this stage of her prep last year in the G1 Futurity Stakes at this meeting. Will race on the speed behind Pride Of Jenni (6) and Toregene (5). The big watch in the race is Espiona (3). That run a few years back at Flemington has stuck with just about every punter and if she rediscovers that form look out. Has a strong second-up record.

Top tip: Turaath

Race 4. 2.20pm - Zeditave Stakes (1200m)

One of the trickier races on the program. Early speed looks to be coming wide which should play into the hands of Rich Fortune (3). Was made to earn her win last start when held up, but absolutely pinned the ears back once she found clear air. Made us sit up and take notice and we think she follows it up here. The extra 100m will suit and play into her hands.

Top tip: Rich Fortune

Race 5. 3pm - Caulfield Autumn Classic (1800m)

This is a real brain hurricane. Absolutely no confidence and we might let this one go through to the keeper. Pericles (2) has the favourite tag. Ran third in the Moonee Valley Vase (G2) last spring and looked to handle the jump in distance. Euroa’s Lindsay Park Racing could have itself a nice little collect prior to the Blue Diamond with progressive gelding Patrick (13). Placed on debut over 1400m and then rose up to the mile in second start and won. It was an eye-catching win, with Patrick doing his best work late. Clearly wants further and looks well over the odds at 60-1. Has drawn the rails so should be given every opportunity to find a nice spot. We might have a throw at the stumps.

Top tip: Patrick (Place)

Race 6. 3.40pm - Peter Young Stakes (1800m)

All eyes will be on how last year’s Melbourne Cup quinella perform first-up. The winner of that race, Gold Trip (1), has landed the favourite tag, but we might look elsewhere. Emissary (2) is the one who looks like it can exact revenge on Gold Trip. Has a fantastic first-up record and is yet to miss the placings (5:2-2-1). Is yet to win over the trip and has two placings. Won a recent trial at Tatura. Should sit just off the speed from barrier two and map the leader. Big watch on Il Paradiso (6) who is stepping out for the first time since a third-place finish in the 2019 Melbourne Cup. Has a 2:1-0-1 record when fresh. Surefire (7) is second-up after a disappointing run when fresh in the Apollo Stakes, but second-up form is strong.

Top tip: Emissary

Race 7. 4.20pm - Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m)

The headline race of the day and it shapes up to be a cracker. We have stuck fat with Little Brose (4) since his second in the Maribyrnong Plate last year. The Lindsay Park runner swooped home late to almost beat Barber (1) in what was a thrilling race. The rise in trip looks like it should suit. Gets the winkers on for the first time and the Hayes boys might have him firing. Steel City (12) has terrific form behind her and has been beaten by two strong types. Gets the blinkers on. Barber has to be included off last run and is still unbeaten. Perhaps The Instructor (6) is worth watching. Comes in unbeaten and ran second in a trial behind Annavisto.

Top tip: Little Brose (EW)

Race 8. 5pm - Futurity Stakes (1400m)

We think it’s a battle between three gun top-rated runners in the second G1 of the day. I’m Thunderstruck (1) should jump favourite. Ran fourth when favourite first-up, but we just think the crowd favourite is crying out for the mile. Alligator Blood (2) steps out from a spell and usually performs strongly when fresh. Has five wins from eight attempts over this journey. Will take up front running and set the pace. We’re on one of our favourites again, Mr Brightside (3) to salute. Had no luck with the barrier last start and gets a favourable one here. His second-up form is terrific and his efforts over this trip are sublime 6:2-1-1. Hit the line strongly first up and should be fighting it out.

Top tip: Mr Brightside

Race 9. 5.40pm - Oakleigh Plate (1100m)

A pleasant surprise to finish the meeting with a G1 and not a Benchmark 84. There’s a stack of runners and a stack of value in the Oakleigh. If you’re a quaddie hunter be sure to go wide in the last leg. We are happy to go with Chain Of Lighting (11). Ran third when fresh last start behind Lofty Strike (10) over this journey and at this track. Loomed late when got clear and probably should have won. Jumped from barrier two in that race and has drawn the same gate here. Drops from 57kg down to 52.5kg. Is unbeaten second-up. Craig Williams gets the ride and we’re hoping for a fill-up.

Top tip: Chain Of Lightning (EW)