Golconda In Excellent Condition Ahead Of Blue Diamond Preview

Trainer Robbie Laing is confident that exciting filly Golconda has improved significantly ahead of her return to racing in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview For Fillies (100m) at Caulfield tomorrow.

Golconda stamped herself as a juvenile to watch with a dominant win in the Desiree Gill Tribute Stakes at Caulfield on November 16.

Golconda stamped herself as a juvenile to watch with a dominant win in the Desiree Gill Tribute Stakes at Caulfield on November 16. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Golconda showed plenty of talent in two race starts during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival, finishing fourth in the Group 3 7News Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day before winning the Listed Desiree Gill Tribute Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on November 16, but Laing told Racing Ahead this morning that the daughter of Snitzel has developed into an even stronger filly since returning from the spelling paddock.

“She has grown and developed and she is a big strong filly now,” Laing said.

“Had she began well and raced on speed on Melbourne Cup Day I think that she would have been winning and her sectionals were outstanding.

“She popped up there on the speed when she won at Caulfield by three and Bossy only gave her one little tap on the shoulder.

“She ran a similar time to Lankan Rupee, who won the sprint later in the day.”

Laing admits that Golconda faces the toughest test of her racing career to date in the Blue Diamond Preview this weekend and revealed that he is already looking long term; with the veteran trainer hoping that a Blue Diamond campaign will educate the two-year-old for a crack at Group 1 races during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival.

“She would have to have improved a lot to be in the finish tomorrow, but I think that she has improved,” Laing said.

“She will just box-seat just off the speed and being out of Eureka Jewel, a tough staying mare, we want to educate her for later in the year for a race like the Thousand Guineas.”

Laing confirmed that Golconda will press on to the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield on February 8 before contesting the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at the same venue on February 22.

Undefeated filly Eloping ($3.80) is currently a narrow favourite in 2014 Blue Diamond Preview betting markets; with Golconda ($4) on the second line of betting from Tony Vasil-trained Fontein Ruby ($4.20) and first starters London Lolly ($8), Lumosty ($8) and Tawteen ($11).

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.