New Diamond favourites
02/06/2010 04:51:17 AM
Beneteau and Psychologist have propelled themselves to the top of the markets for the $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes on February 20 after emphatic wins in their respective preludes at Caulfield on Saturday.
Psychologist, who was $101 in Blue Diamond markets a fortnight ago, made an impressive racetrack debut, running her rivals ragged to win the fillies division over 1100m.
Jockey Mark Zahra took the daughter of Choisir, who started $6.50, straight to the front and she powered way in the straight to win by 4.3 lengths over She's Got Gears ($5.50) and Jalsah ($11).
Her time of 1 min 02.67 second smashed the class record and for at least 40 minutes she looked set to head to Victoria's feature two-year-old race as favourite.
But Beneteau ($4) ran an even quicker time in the colts division, coming from off the pace to defeat Maribyrnong Plate winner General Truce ($6) by 2.5 lengths with Thegreatandthegood ($26) third.
The Paul Messara trained colt stopped the clock at 1:02.45 and will start favourite for the Blue Diamond having kept its unbeaten record in check.
Earlier, Denman confirmed his favouritism for the Australian Guineas in March with an easy win as a $1.20 favourite in the Wellington Racing Club Stakes (1400m).