Blue Diamond Stakes placegetters add intrigue to Todman Stakes
The battle between Melbourne and Sydney’s leading juveniles is set to intensify as Blue Diamond placegetters clash with the top three contenders in Golden Slipper betting at Randwick.
Victorian duo Tentyris and Tycoon Star, who finished second and third in Melbourne’s premier two-year-old event, will line up against top Sydney youngsters Wodeton, North England, and Beiwacht in Saturday’s Todman Stakes (1200m).
While punters are leaning towards the Sydney runners, Tycoon Star’s co-trainer Ben Hayes is keen to test his colt against the best.
A winner of the Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) last spring, Tycoon Star was forced to cover extra ground from a wide gate in the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) but stormed home late, finishing just over a length from the winner.
“He was a little bit of a victim,” Ben Hayes said.
“Unfortunately, the barrier didn’t work out. It wasn’t a fast run (Blue) Diamond, it was a sit and sprint and he was an eyecatcher from the back on a day that was hard to make ground.
“He has come out of the race really well. We’re really excited, the Todman will top him off beautifully for the Slipper.”
The Todman Stakes has been a reliable lead-up race in recent years, with past winners Farnan (2020) and Vancouver (2015) going on to claim Golden Slipper glory, while Cylinder (2023) and Anamoe (2021) both placed in the Group 1 after taking out the Todman.
Hayes believes racing against the top Slipper contenders will provide Tycoon Star with valuable experience.
“That’s his competition and a couple of runs into his grand final is important for him,” he said.
Meanwhile, Victorian trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman are reconsidering their approach with Tentyris after drawing a wide barrier. Sam Freedman hinted that they might delay his next run until the Pago Pago Stakes (1200m).
“He has drawn poorly, so it remains to be seen. We might wait a week with him,” Sam Freedman said.
“But he’s in great form. He travelled up there really well and worked well on Tuesday.”
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