High Octane new G1 Blue Diamond favourite

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Both debutants, High Octane was bought for $1,050,000 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale last April after being withdrawn from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale in January 2023, while at that sale Holmes A Court – a colt by Capitalist – was bought for $850,000.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 with betting sites 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.