The James Cummings trained Plague Stone has held his spot at the top of the betting for the Group 3 $200,000 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) for the colts and geldings at Caulfield today.

Kerrin McEvoy, above, rides Plague Stone in the C&G Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Ladbrokes.com.au have Plague Stone as the $3.60 favourite on race morning ahead of the Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra trained Ollivander and Darren Weir’s Native Soldier both at $5 and Mick Price’s Fastnet Rock colt High Ratio at $5.50.

Plague Stone has been to the races once for a second to Secret Lady in the $150,000 Golden Gift (1100m) at Rosehill on November 25 and Cummings was impressed with his recent barrier trail win over 807m at Warwick Farm on February 1.

“He’s retained plenty of residual fitness from his first run and he trialled nicely in Sydney last week,” Cummings said.

Cummings said that the Lonhro colt was very calm around the stables but know what it was all about when he steps on the race track.

“He’s a fascinating horse, you’d swear he was a five-year-old gelding the way he’s so relaxed around the stable,” Cummings said.

“But when the gates open he switches straight on.”

Plague Stone settled just off the pace on debut and Kerrin McEvoy will have no trouble taking up a handy position from barrier four in the thirteen horse Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Prelude field.

Equal second favourite Ollivander will also be able to get a good run from barrier two with Chris Symons in the saddle again after partnering the Charge Forward colt in his only two race starts for a debut win in an 1100m two year old plate at Caulfield on December followed by a second to Long Leaf in the Listed $150,000 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for the colts and geldings at Caulfield on January 27.

Mark Zahra takes the ride on last start Moonee Valley winner Native Soldier who will need plenty of luck from barrier eight.