Bodyguard blitzes rivals in the Blue Diamond Prelude
The Peter and Paul Snowden stable has strengthened their claims on capturing a first Blue Diamond Stakes together with a potential quartet of runners in the Group 1 race at Caulfield.
Peter Snowden has won Melbourne’s premier juvenile race on three occasions and will chase a first with his son on February 24.
Bodyguard entered his name as a leading contender for the 1200m race after an impressive win in the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) on Saturday.
The Snowden’s also had High Octane and Holmes A Court in Saturday’s race – both potential Blue Diamond contenders – while Fearless could make his way down from Sydney for the race in two weeks’ time.
Ridden by Mark Zahra, Bodyguard ($4.20) scored a half-length win from Stay Focussed ($3.40) with Holmes A Court ($15) a further 2-¼ lengths away third.
High Octane, the $2.30 betting site favourite, wound up in fifth spot.
Peter Snowden said he had hoped to sort out the seedings of his two-year-olds after Saturday’s race but was left to ponder the bad luck High Octane suffered in the run.
“That’s racing. It was a bit unfortunate,” Snowden said of High Octane.
“The only upside, if there’s any, he’ll have enough money to get in.
“He’s fit enough. I’ll treat that like he’s had a hard run, even though he didn’t have a hard run.
“He’s not a gross horse. I won’t change too much in the next two weeks. What it has done, it never hurt him, that’s for sure.
“I wanted today to split them, but I can’t.
“One got a good ride while the other had plenty of bad luck, but they’re two great hopes.”
Snowden said Zahra had given Bodyguard the perfect ride at his first outing around Caulfield.
“If they get on the wrong leg, you’ve just got to coax them around the corner but when you’re buried away inside and can’t see air it takes longer for them to change stride,” Snowden said.
“He’s a very professional horse this bloke, and it was good to see what he did late.”
Zahra said there was improvement to come from Bodyguard who was having only his second race start having scored at Flemington last October.
“Peter and Paul have got a real sense of getting it right on the day, so I would’ve thought there was a fair bit of improvement,” Zahra said.
More Racing News
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...
War Machine back in winning form at Caulfield
A great deal has transpired for War Machine over the past twelve months.On the equivalent weekend last year, the horse trained by Ben, Will, and Jd Hayes, War Machine, was competing in Sydney for The Everest.While the results didn't align with the Lindsay Park trainers' aspirations, War Machine had entered...