The Anthony Freedman stable can see a marked improvement in Hanseatic’s pre-race manners in the lead up to the 2020 Group 1 $1.5m Ned Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

Hanseatic, above in royal blue colours, is showing signs of improved pre-race manners heading into the 2020 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Hanseatic, above in royal blue colours, is showing signs of improved pre-race manners heading into the 2020 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Hanseatic is undefeated from three race starts and stable foreman Sam Freedman said that on each occasion the highly strung colt has presented himself better in the pre-race preliminaries.

Hanseatic claimed his third straight win when he came from midfield to snatch victory over Sydney colt Rulership in the shadows of the post in the Group 3 $200,000 Neds Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) (1100m) at Caulfield on February 8.

“He was really good, the best to saddle he’s been, and just got a little worked up when he entered the mounting yard,’’ Freedman told the Herald Sun..

“The positive to come out of it is he can do all that and still perform, so (punters) probably shouldn’t drop off him even if he did play up a little bit.

“It’s just his character and we manage it the best we can.’’

“He hasn’t had a really tough run yet, just had to sprint late.’’

“He seems like he’s ready to peak on Saturday.

Hanseatic has drawn barrier one in the sixteen horse Blue Diamond Stakes field and Freedman can see Luke Currie settling the colt in the first half of the field.

“He’s got the gate speed to hold his spot and I can see him settling in the first half of the field,” Freedman said.

Hanseatic was spelled after winning on debut in the Listed $140,000 Thoroughbred Club Merson Cooper (1000m) at Sandown at the end of the 2019 Melbourne Spring Carnival and then kicked off his Blue Diamond Stakes campaign with a win in the Listed $160,000 Neds Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) (1000m) at Caulfield on January 25.

Hanseatic is dominating the betting at $2.50 with Ladbrokes.com.au for the Blue Diamond Stakes ahead of the Blue Diamond Prelude runner-up Rulership at $6 and the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young trained Letzbeglam at $8.

Betting for the 2020 Blue Diamond Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $2.50 Hanseatic, $6 Rulership, $8 Letzbeglam, $11 Muntaseera, Away Game, $15 Rathlin, $16 Tagaloa, $17 Personal, $26 Aryaaf, A Beautiful Night, $41 Riverina Storm, $51 Tanker, Ideas Man, $81 Glenfiddich, $101 Fayerra, $201 Difficult.

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.