Closer To Free has come to the fore as a contender for the Blue Diamond Stakes after securing victory on debut at Caulfield this Saturday.
The stylish winner of a Caulfield Heath trial last month under Adrian Corboy, Closer To Free was acquired based on that performance by Danny O’Brien and made his racecourse bow in the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) for colts and geldings on Saturday.
Early betting for the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 21 had Closer To Free as long as $201, yet the colt has firmed dramatically to $7 second favourite after his gutsy success on Saturday.
Trainer Danny O’Brien mentioned he had considered holding Closer To Free back for the Talindert Stakes (1100m) at Flemington next Saturday, but after strong work on Wednesday morning, he decided it would be foolish not to run the two-year-old this weekend.
Setting the pace under Michael Dee, Closer To Free ($13) triumphed by a length over the $2.20 favourite Guest House, with Eternal Warrior ($6) just a short-head back in third.
O’Brien was taken with Closer To Free even prior to the colt’s trial.
“I saw him in the mounting yard before the trial because I had one in it and Adrian is one of the best, if not the best, breakers and he does all of our yearlings,” O’Brien said.
“I asked him what he was doing down here and he said he was trialling this one with the potential to sell him.
“Before the horse left the mounting yard after the trial, I walked back with him and saw how easily he’d taken it. As Adrian was hosing the horse down, I bought him.
“He’s a beautiful colt and he’s got a proper pedigree. With Street Boss, his first three dams were all two-year-old stakes winners, so there is plenty to like about him.”
The Clinton McDonald-prepared Streisand has advanced to $9 on the fourth line of Blue Diamond markets after taking out the fillies’ section of the Prelude.
Under Jamie Melham, Streisand, sent off at $3 favourite, claimed a three-quarter length success over Chayan ($51), while I Am Aria ($7.50) was a short-neck adrift in third.
Streisand endured a troubled passage when unplaced in the Blue Diamond Preview (1000m), but Melham eliminated any excuses by positioning the filly prominently throughout.
McDonald and Melham captured the Diamond two years back with Hayasugi, though Melham is set to hand over to husband Ben for the feature in a fortnight.
“She’ll go a long way in the Diamond,” McDonald said.
“I think she’s got the right mental aptitude for it and the toughness. I’ve said all the way along she’s a bit like Hayasugi, understated, tough.
“This one has a bit more bitch about her, I suppose, a bit more temperamental whereas Hayasugi was a sweetheart.
“We’re happy to put up with her and we’re looking forward to the next two weeks.”
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The post Blue Diamond Stakes picture reshaped after Preludes first appeared on Just Horse Racing.