Trainer John O’Shea’s two year olds Mesa and Demonstrate hold the key for the Listed $120,000 Sportingbet Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for the colts and geldings at Sandown on Monday.
Mesa, royal blue colours in the middle, is one of two John O’Shea trained two year olds nominated for the Blue Diamond Preview at Sandown. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.
The Goldolphin owned Mesa and Demonstrate are among the fourteen entries for the Blue Diamond Preview on Australia Day with the Melbourne Racing Club extending nominations until 10am on Wednesday.
Mesa is only one of a few of the youngsters with race experience following his third to Thurlow and Miss Gidget in the Listed $120,000 Santa’s Magical Kingdom Stakes (1000m) at Sandown on November 15.
The Lonhro colt was sent for a break and reappeared with a win in an 800m Sandown trial on January 13.
First starter Demonstrate also trialled on the same day, recording a second over the same distance behind Blue Diamond Preview rival Him Name Jim.
Demonstrate is by New Approach and the colt is certain to be primed for a bold first up performance.
The Tony McEvoy trained Manhattan Blues is another with race experience and comes to Sandown following his win over 1000m at Morphettville Parks on January 10.
The David Hayes and Tom Dabernig stable will be represented by the Redoute’s Choice colt Call Me Anything who also has race experience with a debut third to stablemate Claudia Jean over 1000m down the Flemington straight on December 20.
Cranbourne trainer Robbie Laing has the largest contingent with five youngsters nominated for the Blue Diamond Preview.
Trench Fighter, Apoloboom, Him Name Jim have been to the races while Street Sense colt Kentucky Flyer and Denman colt Eagles Dare will be making their racing debt.
Him Name Jim finished third at his only race start over 1000m at Ballarat on January 18 after winning a Sandown barrier trial while Apoloboom was sent for a spell after finishing ninth in the Listed $120,000 Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on October 4.
Trench Fighter was also put away after finishing sixth on debut in the Listed $120,000 Inglis Debutant Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on October 11 and Laing has given the Denman colt a barrier trial at Sandown on January 13 finishing third to Mesa.
Team Hawkes has also nominated the well-bred Exceed And Excel colt Top Me Up who will be facing the starter for the first time.
