Jockey Kerrin McEvoy is hoping his filly Applegate will vie for favouritism in the Blue Diamond in two weeks when she meets most of her rivals at Caulfield tomorrow.
The Peter Snowden trained filly is lining up in the Group 3 $125.000 Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Prelude for fillies and a chance to be tested against some other smart fillies will be interesting.
Trainer Mick Price has three runners in the Prelude with Blue Diamond favourite Malasun ($6) and the impressive Samaready ($9) high up the betting list and the result of tomorrow’s clash could dramatically change the market order.
Also in the mix tomorrow is the smart Anthony Cummings trained Diamond Earth who is currently not in the Group 1 $1m Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) but connections will look to pay the $55,000 late entry fee if she wins.
The David Hayes trained Mama’s Choice who won at big odds first up in the Listed $100,000 Emirates Airline Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield last week is on the fourth line of betting for the Blue Diamond but is not racing tomorrow so won’t be influencing any market moves.
Snowden sent Applegate straight for a break after winning at her debut in the Listed $100,000 Emirates Airline Stakes for fillies At Flemington on November 1.
McEvoy was impressed with Applegate in a jumpout and said she felt just as good as when she won at Flemington.
“I’ve only ridden her once in the jumpout but she still has the speed and I gave her a good solid jumpout and she impressed me like when she won in the spring,” he said.
“She’s got class and we are hoping she can show that this week.”
“But whatever she does she is going to improve on going into the Blue Diamond, though its probably the same with most of them.”
Snowden is taking Applegate into the Blue Diamond with only one run and was happy to miss the Blue Diamond Preview on Australia Day.
“The plan that Peter and Paul (Snowden) put into place is to have the filly cranked for Blue Diamond day,” he said.
“She doesn’t have to win. She has already got her spot in the field.”
Snowden’s other Blue Diamond hope Rusambo is going around in the colts and gelding Prelude at Caulfield tomorrow and McEvoy is expecting a cheeky run from the Elusive Quality two year old.
Rusambo is resuming after finishing second to Amorino in the City Tattersalls Plate (1000m) at Randwick on October 15 and McEvoy siad that the colt gave him a nice feel when he rode him in a recent jumpout.
