Strong Blue Diamond Stakes entries for Price and Kent Jnr stable
The barrier draw has boosted trainer Mick Price's hopes of a third Blue Diamond Stakes victory in Victoria's leading two-year-old feature.
Having triumphed in the Group 1 two-year-old race via Extreme Choice in 2016 and Samaready back in 2012, Price fields a pair of colts for Saturday's 1200m Group 1 at Caulfield.
In partnership these days with Michael Kent Jnr, the Cranbourne operation lines up Guest House and Big Sky, drawing gates three and five respectively amid a field of 16 plus four emergencies.
Barring emergencies scratching, Guest House shifts to barrier two with Big Sky in three next door.
Post-draw, the duo dominate revised markets: Big Sky at $4 favourite, Guest House into $5 from $5.50, with Closer To Free third at $6.50 and Magic Millions 2YO Classic victor Unit Five at $7.
Though Price prefers Guest House marginally, Big Sky stays perfect from two starts.
"In all my time of watching races, if something duff's the start, locks onto the bridle, pulls double, sits there deep, exposed, they run second last, not second," Price said.
"I couldn't believe he ran second (in the Prelude) and I thought that was indicative of his capacity at his second start and I thought it was a huge effort.
"I think if he bounces good, gets his sectionals right and is allowed to get his best sectional in his last 300 (metres), then he's going to be hard to beat.
"I think it's a good gate for Big Sky. I think he is a more polite horse.
"Jordan Childs rides him for the first time, and he has a good set of hands.
"I like the way he rides, and I think he will get him pretty right."
According to Price, Guest House doesn't grasp his own ability, and with only two prior races, the team hasn't managed to calm him sufficiently for the Blue Diamond bid.
He mentioned preferring equestrian sessions for the colt ideally, yet confident race-day execution will render him a danger.
Price remarked that this duo demanded more effort in training compared to past successes.
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"Samaready, Extreme Choice, even Flying Artie, they were no trouble," Price said.
"These two are a bit more challenging. Timing wise, it's perfect, they've got to turn up on race day."
The post Price and Kent Jnr hold strong hand in Blue Diamond Stakes first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
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