The scene is set for Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes day with two stellar Group 1 races in the Oakleigh Plate and Futurity Stakes playing support to Victoria’s premier juvenile race.
A full field of 18 will line up in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate providing plenty of value for punters. The Hayes & Dabernig trained Keen Array has opened $4.20 favourite at BlueBet with progressive 3-year-old filly, Heatherly ($4.80) and the Snowden-trained mare, Bounding ($6), third in line in betting.
Trainer Robert Smerdon is gunning for back-to-back victories in the race following the win of Shamal Wind in the race last year. He saddles up Reldas and Atmospherical in the year’s edition.
In the $500,000 Group 1 Futurity Stakes, eight of the eleven starters have won Group 1 races in the past. Nigel Blackiston trained mare Suavito will be aiming for back-to-back Group 1 victories following her slashing win the CF Orr Stakes a fortnight ago. She’s the currently the $6 second pick.
Kiwi-trained Turn Me Loose heads the betting at $2.90 and will no doubt be out to atone his last start defeat in the CF Orr. The South Australian Hucklebuck ($6.50) came from well back in the field to run an eye catching 3rd in the same race and should be well supported after drawing barrier 4 for this week’s feature.
Take a look at the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes run and won by Suavito a fortnight ago.
