Blue Diamond Stakes blowout possible with I Am Aria

Had things gone differently for I Am Aria, Mark Walker's filly could have approached the Blue Diamond Stakes with an unblemished slate.

Rather, the filly has notched a second and a third in her two prior runs, taking second at her debut in the Blue Diamond Preview and then third in the Blue Diamond Prelude.

Assistant-trainer Ben Gleeson from Walker is certain that the Preview and Prelude lines – for fillies as well as colts and geldings – offer the best credentials, making I Am Aria a genuine contender for the elite Group 1 two-year-old sprint of 1200m at Caulfield on Saturday in Melbourne.

At present, I Am Aria trades at $34 in betting markets, trailing colts Big Sky ($4.20) and Guest House ($4.50) trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr at the top.

Gleeson commented that her draw in barrier six – becoming gate four if emergencies scratch – suits her well.

"She's a filly that puts herself in the race and has led up, unfortunately, in two starts without having a backside to follow," Gleeson said.

"She's been very gallant in defeat. She's probably been entitled to drop out, but she's been there whacking away at the finish.

"If she can find a backside on Saturday, she's going to appreciate stepping up to 1200 (metres) and hopefully she's finishing off."

I Am Aria targeted the Blue Diamond Stakes soon after resuming from a quick freshen-up post her early work including a pair of jump-outs/trials last spring.

"You probably don't expect an I Am Invincible filly to get here, especially with the physique she has," Gleeson said.

"She's a big, strong three-year-old type of filly and whatever she does now she is going to be better in the spring. She's has copped the work, she's very sound and has a fantastic mind.

"She's always shown us the characteristics that she could get here. To run second and third in the Preview and the Prelude, there's probably no better form and history probably shows horses that run in those two are the ones that are generally around the mark on final day.

"She's done nothing wrong, anyway."

This season's two-year-olds form an even field without a superstar, differing from prior years featuring dominant locals.

Melbourne's youngsters have excelled away from home too, Gleeson added.

"It will probably take until Saturday for a star to emerge," Gleeson said.

"It's a nice crop of two-year-olds at the moment, they're going to Sydney and running well, they're going to Magic Millions and winning.

"The horses that have been down here are leading the way.

"I think the six or seven from the Previews and the Preludes are the standouts.

"There has been lots of eye-catching runs and a lot will come down to who gets the right run in the race and our filly should certainly get that."

Craig Williams rides I Am Aria again on Saturday, aiming for another Blue Diamond Stakes win after Catchy in 2017.

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