Dunn heading for five Blue Diamonds

Jockey Dwayne Dunn gives himself a top chance of making it five Blue Diamond victories on Mama’s Choice at Caulfield on Saturday.

But he has full respect for race favourite Samaready who has stifled betting with her $2.10 quote way ahead of her nearest rival The Travelling Man at $10 with Dunn’s mount Mama’s Choice at $14 in the Group 1 $1m Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m).

“There is no doubt Samaready should be the favourite,” Dunn said. “But I do think the two-year-old racing this season has been a lot more even than the betting indicates.

“Samaready does look a really smart filly but the way Mama’s Choice won on debut was the right way for a Blue Diamond winner to race. They come from off the speed and work home and she did exactly that.”

Dunn was aboard the David Hayes trained Mama’s Choice when she came from near the tail of the field to score an impressive first up win over Formidable  at long odds in the Listed $100,000 Emirates Airline Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on February 4.

Mama’s Choice has drawn barrier twelve and will come in two spots if the emergencies don’t secure a start and Dunn will have to ride the two year old quietly again.

Dunn has combined with Hayes on three occasions to win the Blue Diamond Stakes with Nadeem (2006), Sleek Chassis (2007) and Reaan (2008).

Trainer Mark Kavanagh provided Dunn’s other winner of the rich two year old race with Undoubtly in 2005.

“I thought Undoubtedly and Nadeem would win but I didn’t think Reaan was good enough,” Dunn said.

“I wasn’t sure how Sleek Chassis would go and this year is another wait and see scenario with Mama’s Choice.”

Dunn is also combining with Hayes in the Group 1 $400,000 Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on Eagle Falls who returned to the winner’s circle with an impressive first up win in the Group 3 $125,000 Schweppes Rubiton Stakes at Caulfield on February 11.

Eagle Falls is currently $17 behind the Peter Snowden trained Sepoy who heads the betting at the $2.90 just ahead of last start Caulfield winner Bel Sprinter ($3).

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.