Connections are weighing up the option to pay a late entry fee into the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes for Property, after the talented colt held off Pariah to win the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude C&G (1100m) at Caulfield this afternoon.
Property produced a strong turn of foot to win the Blue Diamond Prelude C&G this afternoon. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Property won the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) through an impressive performance a fortnight ago and the colt was led into a good position within the field of thirteen this afternoon by jockey Craig Williams.
Steering the son of Starcraft to the fore of the field by the time they had rounded onto the final straight, Williams was greeted with a smart turn of foot when he asked for an extra effort and had opened a good enough gap on his rivals to win the race from Pariah, who stormed home late to finish second.
Williams was thrilled with the gelding’s performance to win the Blue Diamond Prelude C&G and believes he will only improve into his next start.
“We got a beautiful run and I love the way he’s come from one run to another,” Williams said.
“He got into a nice rhythm and you can see he’s getting better with experience and coming on in the prep.
“When I asked him to quicken, he had a really good acceleration and was tough late. Wow, it was a very impressive performance.”
Trainer Robert Smerdon said that it was up to Property’s owners to make the decision on whether or not a late entry into the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes field would be paid, but said that he would if it was up to him.
“It’s not my money and not my call,” he said.
“His managing part-owner David Price is a long time student of the game and he’ll decide if he spends the money.
“He certainly had to win today to warrant it, but he’s one of the main contender and there isn’t a lot between number of the horses.
“Craig said after his last win that he felt he should be going into the race.
“Yes I would (run him in the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes.”
In piloting Property to success in the colts and geldings race, Craig Williams claimed both Blue Diamond Prelude races this afternoon having steered Catchy to a smart win in the Fillies event early on the Caulfield card.
