Trainer Gai Waterhouse has never won the Blue Diamond Stakes, but she believes that Flamboyant Lass is an outstanding chance to deliver her a win in the 2015 edition of the race.
Glen Boss has been booked to ride Flamboyant Lass in the 2015 Blue Diamond Stakes. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Flamboyant Lass made her racing debut with a third place finish behind Pierrette in the Betting Season Plate (1000m) at Royal Randwick on October 11 and she stamped herself as a filly to watch when she took out the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1000m) at the same on January 10 in impressive fashion.
The Stratum filly was far from disgraced when third behind Fontiton and Miss Gidget in the Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield on February 14 and Waterhouse told Racing Ahead that the two-year-old has taken plenty of benefit out of the run heading into the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m).
“I have an outstanding chance and she is really the real deal,” Waterhouse said.
“I thought her run at Caulfield two weeks ago was outstanding, she had never been there, she came off the turn and wobbled for a little while and then she straightened and in the last 70 metres I don’t think that there was a horse finding the line more strongly.
“She is seasoned, she is strong and she is exceptionally focused.
“That is the most important thing that I needed from her, just that little bit more focus, so that when she comes around that turn she will know exactly what to do.”
Flamboyant Lass’s Blue Diamond Stakes odds increased substantially after she was allocated the outside gate at the Blue Diamond Stakes barrier draw earlier in the week, but Waterhouse said that she is not concern with the poor gate.
Multiple Group 1 winning jockey Glen Boss has been booked to ride Flamboyant Lass in the Blue Diamond Stakes and Waterhouse feels that having such an experienced Group 1 rider on her back gives Flamboyant Lass an advantage in the $1 million event.
“I think that it is quite an advantage and I have a multiple Group 1 winning jockey,” Waterhouse said.
“It is very particular in these Group 1 races to put on jockeys that have won those races or before or won Group 1 races before.
“There is nothing worse than going to the event and the bloke has never ridden a Group 1 winner because under pressure it takes a certain type of person.”
Flamboyant Lass is currently available at 2015 Blue Diamond Stakes odds of $18 with Ladbrokes, while Fontiton ($2.30) remains a narrow favourite from Pride Of Dubai ($6) and Lake Geneva ($11).
