Godolphin have both Mesa and Demonstrate in the 2015 Blue Diamond Preview (Colts and Geldings) field at Sandown on Australia Day and Racing Manager Jason Walsh does not believe there is a great deal between the two colts heading into the Listed event.
Mesa finished a close third behind Thurlow when he made his racing debut in the 2014 Merson Cooper Stakes. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett
Mesa is one of only five horses in the Blue Diamond Preview field that has previously had a race start and he finished a close third behind Thurlow and Miss Gidget in the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes (1000m) at Sandown on November 15 before he recorded a dominant three lengths victory in a barrier trial at Sandown on January 13.
Walsh told Racing Ahead that he believes the form coming out of Merson Cooper Stakes is generally strong heading into the Blue Diamond Preview and he said that trainer John O’Shea is happy with the physical condition of the Lonhro colt.
“He was very narrowly beaten in a Merson Cooper and that generally would be good form for the first of the Blue Diamond lead-ups,” Walsh said.
“This is a competitive field with a fair few unknowns going into it with two-year-olds at this time of the year, but he is very well.
“He only got a brief freshen-up after the spring and he obviously performed well at Sandown before.
“He trialed there ten days ago and we couldn’t have been more pleased with him.
“He profiles well to run right up to his best.”
Demonstrate made his first public appearance when he finished second behind the talented Furnaces in a barrier trial over 800 metres at Warwick Farm on October 10 and he finished in the same position in a trial at Sandown on January 13.
O’Shea admits that Godolphin are asking a lot of Demonstrate to make his racing debut in the Blue Diamond Preview, but he said that the New Approach colt has given the stable every indication that he is good enough to compete with the best juveniles in Australia.
“He is a beautiful looking horse and he trialed well there at Sandown on pretty soft going,” O’Shea said.
“He is a horse that has shown a lot at home.
“It is hard to get these horses to show their absolute best on a racecourse first-up at Stakes grade, but if he can bring what he has shown at home he will be competitive.
“There is probably not a great deal between them.”
Mesa is currently available at 2015 Blue Diamond Preview odds of $4, while Demonstrate is on the second line of betting along with Kirabo at a quote of $5.50.
