Trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, along with the connections of Field Of Play, made a bold move by paying the $55,000 late entry fee for the Blue Diamond Stakes, Victoria’s premier two-year-old race at Caulfield on Saturday, with a $1.2 million winner’s purse on the line.
Field Of Play, one of two unbeaten two-year-olds in the race, enters the Group 1 event with impressive form, having won both his debut at Moonee Valley and the Blue Diamond Prelude for colts and geldings at Caulfield on February 8.
Busuttin said the late payment was an easy decision after the gelding, initially earmarked for Hong Kong, was not entered for the race when nominations were taken last year. “The lead-up has been very smooth, and while there will be more pressure with 16 runners, I’m confident he’ll handle it,” Busuttin said.
Field Of Play drew barrier five, and with jockey Blake Shinn committed to a forward position, Busuttin is hopeful of another Blue Diamond win, having previously won the race with Tagaloa in 2020. “In a perfect world, he’ll be one-one, but Blake will sort that out,” he added.
While Busuttin respects the competition, including the strong contender Devil Night, he believes Field Of Play is the one to beat. “I wouldn’t be swapping him with any other runner,” Busuttin said.