Fontiton remains on track to contest the 2015 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield on February 14 ahead of the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) a week later after impressing in a jump out this morning.
Fontition impressed trainer Robert Smerdon with her performance in a jump out at Caulfield this morning. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett
Fontiton contested the second jump out of the morning over 800 metres on the course proper at Caulfield and she jumped from the gates fairly before being settled slightly worse than midfield by jockey Mark Zahra, while Peter Moody-trained Skeletons took up the running in the early stages.
The Turffontein filly moved into fifth position coming around the turn and was kept under a heavy hold by Zahra, but she was still able to make up plenty of ground late and she fought out the finish with Clinton McDonald-trained Cheers Rossco.
Fontiton has been considered one of the leading contenders for the the Blue Diamond Stakes since she made her racing debut with a dominant six lengths victory in the Inglis Banner (1000m) at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day and she secured her position towards the top of betting when she made up good ground late to win the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) at Sandown on Australia Day.
Trainer Robert Smerdon was happy with the jump out performance of Fontiton and he told TVN at the jump outs this morning that the two-year-old remains a chance of heading to Sydney for the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21 if she comes through her Blue Diamond Stakes campaign well.
“She’s a big, strong, relaxed filly and is getting better all the time and learning more all the time,” Smerdon said.
“We’re pretty happy with her right now and the Slipper remains a possibility.
“Her shins are perfect, no issue there.”
Cheers Rossco is yet to make his racing debut, but he produced a professional effort in his first public appearance and he remains in the entries for the Blue Diamond Stakes.
Fontiton is currently available at 2015 Blue Diamond Stakes odds of $5 with Ladbrokes Australia, while Mick Price-trained Secret Agenda ($4.80) is now a narrow favourite from Blue Diamond Preview winner Burnstone ($10), Gai Waterhouse-trained Flamboyant Lass ($10), Widden Stakes runner-up Lake Geneva ($10), Debutant Stakes winner and son of Starspangledbanner Of The Brave ($11) and Maribyrnong Plate winner Prompt Return ($15).
