Blue Diamond Preview 2025 launch for Goodwin’s $2k buy

Trainer Reece Goodwin doesn’t anticipate Bermondsey lining up on Blue Diamond Day, but he’s thrilled that the gelding will have a chance to compete in the Blue Diamond series. Bermondsey, a son of Hanseatic with maternal ties to a former Blue Diamond Stakes winner, will make his debut in the $250,000 Blue Diamond Colts & Geldings Preview (1000m) on Saturday.

This Listed race marks a significant milestone for Bermondsey, who was a budget buy at the Inglis Great Southern Sale in 2022. Goodwin picked up the then-weanling for just $2,000—a decision he made on a whim after spotting the colt in the pre-parade ring.

“In all honesty, I didn’t even inspect him until he was in the pre-parade ring,” Goodwin shared. “But he was a good size, and while his page wasn’t full of Black Type, his half-brother Illuminance had recently raced in the Inglis Millennium and ran well as a two-year-old. That made me think it might be a two-year-old family. Hanseatic was a two-year-old as well, so I decided to take a punt.”

Bermondsey’s family pedigree is noteworthy, featuring links to Flying Spur mare Gin Lizzie and her fourth dam Forina, who won the 1974 Blue Diamond. The lineage also includes Biscarina, dam of champion sprinter Schillaci, and Group 1 winners Voodoo Lad and Russeting.

While Goodwin isn’t expecting Bermondsey to reach the same heights as his illustrious relatives, the gelding has impressed with his demeanor and development. “He’s always been a pretty sensible horse with a beautiful, big action,” Goodwin noted. “He’s probably not really built for 1000 metres; I think he’ll excel at 1200 or 1400 metres and as a three-year-old. But he’s done everything right so far, and that’s why he’s in this race.”

This year’s Blue Diamond Preview for colts and geldings isn’t shaping up as a particularly strong field. With only six runners after the scratching of Tentyris, Shining Smile is the lone horse with race experience. Even if Bermondsey finishes last, he’ll earn $5,000—two-and-a-half times his purchase price.

Goodwin admitted the decision to enter the race came late. “Initially, this race wasn’t on my radar. But when nominations were extended, I had a closer look and realized it wasn’t a particularly strong field,” he explained. “It also helped that the meeting was moved from Caulfield to Sandown, which suits him better with its longer run from the chute.”

Michael Dee, returning to metropolitan racing after a two-month injury layoff, will ride Bermondsey from barrier two. However, this Preview isn’t a stepping stone to the $2 million Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes for the gelding. Goodwin expects to send Bermondsey to the paddock after Saturday’s race.

“I think everyone will see he’s a lot taller and leggier compared to the others,” Goodwin said. “We’ll let him grow and mature; he’s going to be a much better horse next preparation.”