Jockey Kerrin McEvoy didn’t make his job any easier in choosing his ride in the Group 1 $1m Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday by drawing outside barriers for Darely’s two top chances Guelph and Metastasio.
Kerrin McEvoy sticks with Guelph in the Blue Diamond Stakes. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
McEvoy drew barrier thirteen for Guelph and twelve for Metastasio in the Blue Diamond field that has been reduced to fifteen runners with the scratching of the Mark Kavanagh trained Casquets after his filly drew the outside barrier.
Trainer Peter Snowden left the decision up to McEvoy to choose his mount and the top jockey went for Guelph with leading rider Glen Boss to partner Metastasio while Darley’s third runner Montsegur will be ridden by Christian Reith from barrier eight.
McEvoy has been aboard both fillies and has decided to stick with Guelph after the filly took out the Group 3 $150,000 Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) (1100m) at Caulfield on February 9.
“She will settle back anyway and hopefully come storming home,” McEvoy said.
“There is a lot of pace on her inside, which may suit.”
“Both are really nice fillies.”
“Guelph has run quicker time, but Metastasio’s record can’t be faulted. Metastasio will go forward and I can see Guelph settling midfield.
“There is not heaps between them. Guelph has just got her head in front of the other one.”
Boss won’t be disappointed to pick up the ride on Metastasio and takes over from McEvoy who has ridden the Street Cry filly to both her wins, including her last start win in the Listed $120,000 PFD Food Services Chairman’s Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on February 2,.
Sydney based Reith is a regular rider for Darley and will take over from Craig Williams who was aboard the New Approach filly Montsegur when second to Guelph in the Blue Diamond Prelude.
Williams will stick with Crack A Roadie for Cranbourne trainer Stephen Theodore after a win and second on the Charge Forward colt.
Iris O’Farrell, who manages Miracles Of Life for Teeley Assets Ltd, drew barrier one for the undefeated Adelaide filly who will be going for four straight wins in the Blue Diamond.
O’Farrell was glad to come up with the inside gate but would preferred to have drawn around six.
“I would have liked six, but one is better than 15,” O’Farrell said.
Guelph and Miracles Of Life are battling for favouritism around the $3.30 mark each with Metastasio next in the betting at $7 while Thermal Current is the best of Peter
Moody’s four runners at $8.
Melbounre’s leading trainer’s second pick Dissident is $26 and Darley’s third runner Montsegur is a $31 chance while Moody’s other two runners Quest For Peace and Kona Breeze are outsiders at $41 and $51.
