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Expensive pair run one-two in colts and geldings division of Blue Diamond Preview at Caulfield.
Astute purchases by Newgate Farm and China Horse Club have shown good signs of delivering greater rewards as the Peter and Paul Snowden -trained High Octane and Holmes A Court ran first and second in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for colts and geldings at Caulfield.
Both debutants, High Octane was bought for $1,050,000 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale last April after being withdrawn from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale in January 2023, while at that sale Holmes A Court – a colt by Capitalist - was bought for $850,000.
"They have both been terrific and not a lot between them in their work at home," Peter Snowden said.
"I thought there would be a bit more in the finish of the race but I thought both colts ran exceptionally well."
The win saw High Octane wound into favouritism at $5 for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) on February 24.
Snowden believes that there is more to come from both horses, and especially from High Octane – a colt by Deep Field.
"He got lost a fair way out and lobbed around that corner but he showed his class late, he's a talented horse and no doubt he'll take a lot of benefit out of today.
"He travelled well to the gate although Holmes A Court got a bit revvy when we put the saddle on him but he was good before that.
"For High Octane, he's a real professional."
Both colts are expected to line up again in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) on February 10.
High Octane ($3.10 favourite) scored by a ¾-length margin from Holmes A Court ($21) with the Annabel Neasham-trained Innervisions ($3.90) three-lengths away in third.
The time of 57.94 seconds was 0.13 seconds quicker than the fillies division run earlier and won by Hayasugi.