The Blue Diamond series officially commences this Thursday when the 1000-metre Previews will be run at Sandown.
The $200,000 Listed colts and geldings' division features a couple of exposed horses high up in futures betting, namely The Instructor and Krakarib, along with a swag of youngsters yet to be seen at the races.
Below is a look at the debutants in what is the third event on the card, where they came from and how they've performed at the jumpouts or trials.
ALTRUIST (Mick Price/Michael Kent Jnr): $400,000 Inglis Easter purchase by four-time Australian Champion Sire Snitzel who will become the first to race from the former champion South African sprinter Carry On Alice (Captain Al), who was a five-time G1 winner. Looked good winning a 650m jumpout at Cranbourne on January 4 and then not knocked around when a narrow second to De Sonic Boom, who runs in the fillies' Preview, in an 800m Sandown jumpout eight days later.
AMIGO (Peter Moody): Another by Snitzel, who is from the former classy Savabeel filly You're So Good, who was runner-up in a G1 Australian Guineas. Her only foal to race has been Waafiya, who won a Scone maiden. That didn't stop Tasman Bloodstock and TFI forking out $975,000 for her at Magic Millions. Had two Pakenham jumpouts in November and another two this month, finishing directly in front of stablemate and Preview rival Capmala in the latter two.
CAPMALA (Peter Moody): The son of Lonhro didn't go through the sales after being retained to race by Rosemont Stud but would have fetched if a healthy sum if he did, being a half-brother to $800,000 I Am Invincible colt Counttheheadlights, who won at The Valley on debut then ran well in several of last season's big 2YO races. They are from the Sebring mare Tahni Dancer, who only won one race but placed at Group 2 and Group 3 level.
FIRE FOLLOWER (A&S Freedman): This was the race Anthony and Sam Freedman unleashed eventual Blue Diamond winner Daumier last year and this year they have another Godolphin homebred in Fire Follower, a member of the first Australian crop of Harry Angel from Group 2-winning filly Romneya (Red Ransom x Mannington), who has had had four to race for three city winners. Placed in two Flemington jumpouts in September and has had another two during summer, the latest a narrow but impressive win when he produced a swift turn of foot under light riding.
GOODES (A&S Freedman): $500,000 Gold Coast yearling by Written Tycoon who was bought by the Rosemont Alliance. From the American mare Apologynotaccepted (Fusaichi Pegasus), whose only one to race in Australia is Sorrynotsorry (Medaglia d'Oro), who finished toward the rear in two starts. The most recent of four jumpouts for Goodes came last Friday at Flemington when the colt booted through to lead and held a healthy margin at the line despite being eased down late.
PERILOUS FIGHTER (Clayton Douglas): Appropriate kick-off point for the colt out of Beauty School, who won the fillies' version of the Blue Diamond Preview in 2007. The daughter of Royal Academy has had seven to race, including five-time winner New Summer Night and the speedy Knowles, who like Perilous Fighter is by Starspangledbanner. A $50,000 purchase by his trainer at the 2021 Great Southern Weanling Sale, Perilous Fighter jumped out nicely at Sandown on January 12 when beaten only half a length despite finishing fifth of six.
REGAL ZEUS (John McArdle): Will become the first to race from the Kitten's Joy mare Quiet Kitten, who was a seven-time winner in the US between 1500m and 1700m but does have some connection with a couple of horses Australian racing fans will recognise with Eleven Eleven and Glenfiddich appearing on the pedigree page. A son of Zoustar, Regal Zeus cost $150,000 at the Easter Sale, and rounded out preparations for the debut with a 700m jumpout win against older horses at Mornington last Wednesday.
SCORSESE (Peter Moody): The third of Peter Moody's representatives, who won the Pakenham jumpout on January 10 in which Amigo finished second and Capmala third and given a solid hitout when a decisive winner of another Pakenham jumpout on Monday last week. From the first crop of Blue Diamond winner Written By out of the late Snitzel mare Hollyweird, who was Stakes placed and has had three to race for three winners, and cost $180,000 at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
