Local Caulfield horseman Robert Smerdon is out to break an over 30 year drought in the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes 2017 rolling the dice with a late entry for Property in the Group 1 on Saturday.
Prelude winner Property needs a good 2017 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes Barrier Draw according to trainer Robert Smerdon. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
On Monday connections of the promising Starcraft gelding forked out the hefty $55,000 late entry fee to have Property run in the $1.5 million Group 1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m).
âWe had until today and we had to be happy and we were,” Smerdon told AAP on Monday.
The two-year-old earned a shot at the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival feature winning the Group 3 Blue Diamond Colts & Geldings Prelude (1100m) on February 11 at the track.
That was Propertyâs second career win from three starts, all at Caulfield Racecourse, with the up-and-comer also winning the Blue Diamond Preview on Australia Day.
He is now out to complete the Blue Diamond Stakes Triple Crown on the weekend after being one of 17 final Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes 2017 Final Acceptances on Tuesday for the capacity 16-starter field.
“He had to win the Prelude to warrant going on and he has done that so he earned his chance,” Smerdon said.
“And that’s what we’re doing, rolling the dice.â
Ridden by Craig Williams for his two latest runs, Property has a jockey change on Saturday with the âMagic Manâ Joao Moreira booked for the ride.
Williams has opted to chase his maiden Blue Diamond Stakes winning ride aboard the favourite Catchy for the Lindsay Park stable.
Lindsay Park have a bumper six juveniles in the 2017 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes field with Catchy dominating betting at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au.
She and Williams pay $5 for the win after the daughter of Fastnet Rock won the filliesâ edition of the Blue Diamond Prelude.
The last filly to complete the double was Earthquake (2014), while Sepoy (2011) was the last Prelude â Blue Diamond Stakes double winner.
Property currently occupies the third line of the post-field Blue Diamond Stakes betting markets at $7 to be the next, an equal price with another unbeaten Fastnet Rock filly for Lindsay Park â Formality.
Co-trainer David Hayes boasts five previous wins in the race, while Smerdon won back in 1985 with Letâs Get Physical.
Smerdon is now sweating on the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes barrier draw taking place at 11am (AEDT) on Tuesday morning, saying the gates will play an important role in Saturdayâs race.
“Barriers and run of the race are going to separate a lot of these horses,â he said.
âThere’s not much between half a dozen of them, so we need a barrier and we need a good run.”
To back Property to win the Blue Diamond Stakes 2017 at the best price visit Ladbrokes.com.au today â home of Odds Boost (T&Cs apply).