The Lindsay Park trained colt Long Leaf has firmed in the betting for the Group 1 $1.5m Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 24 after keeping his unbeaten record intact at Caulfield last Saturday.
Long Leaf, above, will head straight to the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Winning jockey Damien Oliver was able to settle Long Leaf just behind the leading division in the early stages of the race before the Fastnet Rock youngster overhauled his opposition in the home straight to record a solid half a length win over Ollivander in the Listed $150,000 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for the colts and geldings.
Long Leaf is now on the third line of betting at $9 for the Blue Diamond Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au and Lindsay Park co-trainer Ben Hayes said that the colt will go into the race without another run.
“My gut feel is we’ll go straight into it. We’ll see how he pulls up, we’ll look at him over the next few days, but most likely straight into the Blue Diamond,” Ben Hayes said.
“We actually think he’ll be better over 1200m.”
“He’s well-bred, he’s a relation to Terravista and Tiger Tees (Long Leaf dam Frustrating is their half-sister), so he’s a definite stallion prospect in the future now.”
The Team Hawkes trained Estijaab also created a huge impression with his debut win over 1000m at Randwick on January 20 and remains at the top of the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes market order at $7 just ahead of Tony McEvoy’s filly Oohood at $8.
Oohood made up plenty of ground from the back at her second race start when third behind Lady Horseowner and Crossing The Abbey in the Group 3 $150,000 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for the fillies at Caulfield last Saturday.
Early betting for the 2018 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $7 Estijaab, $8 Oohood, $9 Long Leaf, $13 Ollivander, $15 Pure Elation, $17 Performer, Run Naan, $21 Ranier, Fiesta, Futooh, High Ratio, Lady Horseowner, $26 Neutrality, Seabrook, Al Naifa, Dynamited, Encryption, Lake District Girl, Qafila, Satin Slipper, $34 or better the rest.
