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Always a great contest is the Blue Diamond Stakes run at Sandown Lakeside on Saturday.
Sepoy was the last to win the Slipper after taking this out. But the form is always strong so monitor the 2023 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Sandown Lakeside on Saturday.
2023 Blue Diamond Stakes: Nominations
2023 BLUE DIAMOND STAKES - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The Blue Diamond Stakes is a Group 1 race for two-year-olds and is Victoria's premier race for the juveniles usually run over 1200m at Caulfield.
Initiated in 1971, the Blue Diamond was first won by Tolerance.
The Blue Diamond is a Set Weights race run in conjunction with the G1 Oakleigh Plate and the G1 Futurity Stakes.
It was worth $2,000,000 in 2023.
It was run at Flemington in 1996, when won by Paint, due to the reconstruction of Caulfield. Similarly it was held at Sandown in 2023 due to track renovations.
The Blue Diamond follows on from a series of Caulfield lead ups being the Previews and Preludes and is followed by the VRC Sires. It also serves as a form guide for the Golden Slipper at Rosehill in Sydney.
The Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies)/Blue Diamond double has been done by the likes of Miracles Of Life (2013) and Midnight Fever (1987).
The Blue Diamond Preview (Colts & Geldings)/Blue Diamond double has been done by the likes of Daumier (2022), Sepoy (2011), Reward For Effort (2009), Reaan (2008), Bel Esprit (2002), Knowledge (1997), Zedative (1988) and Rancher (1982).
The Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies)/Blue Diamond double has been done by the likes of Lyre (2019), Catchy (2017), Earthquake (2014), Samaready (2012), Alinghi (2004), Lady Jakeo (1993) and Midnight Fever (1987).
The Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts & Geldings)/Blue Diamond double has been done by the likes of Written By (2018), Sepoy (2011), Bel Esprit (2002), and Rancher (1982).
Fillies have just held their own in recent years with 8 of the last 24 plus Roedean was first but lost on disqualification.
Not a great race for favourites before a turn around in recent times. Alinghi and Bel Esprit were two of recent years to take the mantle successfully into and out of the race.
Tagaloa's win in 2020 was significant in that he was by elite Japanese horse Lord Kanaloa from a Japanese mare as well.
Dwayne Dunn had four wins in a row – 2005-2008.
David Hayes had a near similar streak going winning three (Reaan/Sleek Chassis/Nadeen) and Lindsay Park had won previously with the likes of Principality, Canonise, Mahaasin & Midnight Fever amongst others. Catchy won again for him in 2017.
Daumier's win in 2022 gave Anthony Freedman (including the last two with son Sam) three of the last four Blue Diamonds.
Sepoy was the first to do the Diamond & Slipper double since Courtza in 1989.
Sepoy was the first since Bel Esprit to win the Preview/Prelude/Diamond.
Several Golden Slipper winners in recent seasons have been placed such as Miss Finland, Flying Spur & Canny Lad (Crystal Lily sixth).
Other notable winners of the Blue Diamond include John's Hope, Blazing Saddles, Manikato, Bounding Away, Courtza and Redoute's Choice.
The 2022 Blue Diamond Stakes was won by Daumier from Revolutionary Miss and Jacquinot.