Chivalry up to Sydney invaders in Blue Diamond Stakes

Mark Kavanagh knows that his colt Chivalry has the goods to take on the group of smart Sydney juveniles in Melbourne’s premier two year old race, the Group 1 $1m Sportingbet Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 22.

Chivalry a strong Blue Diamond Stakes contender after Flemington win,.

Chivalry a strong Blue Diamond Stakes contender after Flemington win,. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

The top Flemington trainer sent the Street Cry colt to the paddock for a short freshen up after winning over 1000m at Moonee Valley on December 28 at his second race start.

Chivalry was sent out a very short priced favourite at his first start at Flemington two weeks prior and after being badly held up for a run at the 200m finished second to the Shane Nichols trained I Am The General.

Kavanagh is certain that Chivalry has the ability to take on the early Blue Diamond Stakes favourite Earthquake, Nostradamus from the Sydney stable of Team Hawkes, Gerald Ryan’s unraced Rubick and Fighting Sun, an impressive Rosehill winner.

“There are five weeks to go to the race and a week is a long time in two-year-old races,” Kavanagh told the Herald Sun.

“Every week there is a new shortener in the market, a new challenger emerging. All I know is that my bloke is doing everything right at the moment and that’s all you can ask.

“He has enjoyed a week-and-a-half in the paddock after his Flemington win and he’ll run in the Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield on February 8. He’s had the advantage of a freshen up and he’s going fine.”

“The winner on Saturday (Nostradamus) was impressive, but having said that so was mine at his last run when he had a lot of trouble but still won convincingly,” Kavanagh said.

Blue Diamond Stakes $3.80 favourite Earthquake from the Peter Snowden stable was instantly installed at the top of the market order after winning on debut over 1000m at Randwick on November 9.

While last Saturday’s impressive Flemington winner Nostradamus has been marked a $9 since behind Chivalry at $8.50.

The unraced Encosta De Lago colt Rubick has been rated as the second pick at $7 on the strength of seven and a quarter lengths  win in a 900m Rosehill barrier trial on January 7 while Fighting Sun from the Gai Waterhouse stable is currently a $8 chance.

Chivalry and Nostradamus are likely to clash in the Group 3 $150,000 Sportingbet Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) for the colts and geldings at Caulfield on February 8 while Earthquake could line up in the fillies version on the same day.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.