Lindsay Park co-trainer Tom Dabernig believes that jockey Craig Williams holds the key to Tulip winning the Group 3 $150,000 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) (1000m) at Caulfield on Thursday.
Craig Williams, above, holds the key to Tulip winning the fillies Blue Diamond Preview at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Williams was on board Tulip when she came from near the tail in a seven horse field to win on debut in a 1000m 2yo Plate at Moonee Valley on December 31 and gets the ride again.
Tulip has drawn barrier three in the bigger twelve horse Blue Diamond Preview field and Dabernig feels that Williams will have to be wary not to get too far back and have to much work to do to find his way through the field in the straight.
Dabernig also doesn’t want the Pierro filly to be pushed along early and race out of her comfort zone.
“At a 1000m we won’t have her out of her comfort zone,” Dabernig told RSN’s Racing Ahead.
“We will leave that to Craig, he is one of the best in the game. Hopefully he can get it right because he is on the right horse.”
“She came from back at the tail of the field to win so I hope from barrier three with the rail out she doesn’t get too far back.”
Dabernig, who trains in partnership with David and Ben Hayes, said that the stable has a very high opinion of Tulip and that she has come through her Moonee Valley win in great order.
“She is in fantastic order. She has come along since her impressive first up win. She is really smart filly,” Dabernig said.
Tulip is currently the $3 favourite just ahead of Limestone at $3.20 for the Blue Diamond Preview at Ladbrokes.com.au and Dabernig agrees that the Darren Weir trained filly is the one to beat in a tougher field than she met at Moonee Valley.
“Tomorrow is clearly a tougher test. Limestone comes into the race with good form and is Tony McEvoy’s horse (Miss Wahoo) so she will certainly have to be on her game,” Dabernig said.
“She is definitely the horse to beat with Limestone.”
Damian Lane rides Limestone and the last start Flemington winner has drawn okay at barrier five.
