Take two for 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes & Golden Slipper hopeful Guest House
Guest House will make a delayed debut this Saturday when the promising colt steps out at Cranbourne after a late scratching last weekend.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained youngster was originally entered for the Magic Millions VIC 2YO Classic (1100m) at Caulfield Heath but was withdrawn after drawing poorly.
Connections were unwilling to press on from a wide gate against Unit Five, who went on to capitalise from an inside draw.
A week later, Guest House lines up in the Clamms Seafood Handicap (1000m) at Cranbourne and has drawn far more favourably in barrier four, with Jamie Melham taking the reins.
Michael Kent Jnr said patience was the sensible play.
“The barrier was very awkward last week, especially for a two-year-old debutant,” Kent Jnr said.
“The favourite had drawn beautifully in barrier one and if we had pushed on, we could have been four and five wide scouting around them, and then if you go back, can he pick them up?
“There’s a suitable option for him on Saturday and the other thing we spoke about was the race last week contributes zero to getting a start in the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) or the Golden Slipper (1200m).”
Although the Caulfield Heath race offered direct entry into the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m), the prizemoney was not applicable toward the Blue Diamond or Golden Slipper ballots.
The Price and Kent Jnr camp also decided against travelling north with the colt.
“I don’t think you can do both, the Magic Millions and the Blue Diamond,” Kent Jnr said.
“It’s a long way to go. We don’t like flying our horses to Queensland as it’s proven to be too unreliable in the past.
“You can get stuck on the tarmac, and to go by road, it’s a long way for an immature horse.
“On balance, with everything considered and the barrier being the main issue, we thought it made sense to wait a week and go across the road to Cranbourne.
“Yes, a tight 1000 metres there is not ideal, but hopefully he can get the job done and if he did, the winner’s first prize goes towards getting a start in the Blue Diamond and the Slipper.
“He’s a lovely horse that looks to have Group class potential, so we’ll see.”
Betting markets for Guest House’s debut are available through the Australian betting sites list.
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