Cranbourne trainer Stephen Theodore is looking at a lot of positives when assessing the chances of his Blue Diamond Stakes 2013 hopeful Crack A Roadie after drawing a suitable gate for the resuming two-year-old.
Crack A Roadie will run in the 2013 Blue Diamond Stakes first-up on Saturday with Craig Williams aboard. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Charge Forward colt Crack A Roadie hasn’t raced since their devastatingly close second to Direct Charge when backing up from an Inglis Banner Stakes win to come within a short half-head in the Group 3 HKJC Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) at Flemington on Emirates Stakes Day.
Their first-up assignment is far from an easy task too with Crack A Roadie to take on a hot field of fellow juveniles in the $1 million Group 1 Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday.
For their two first preparation runs the up-and-comer was ridden by top hoop Craig Williams and Theodore has taken confidence in their Blue Diamond chances with Williams sticking with them.
Theodore was also happy with their barrier nine draw in a field down to 15 runners following the early scratching of Mark Kavanagh’s Talindert Stakes winner Casquets, the same barrier they jumped from to win at Moonee Valley last Cox Plate Carnival.
“That is perfect. He is not a go-forward horse and Craig Williams has decided to stick with him so that gives me confidence,” he said.
Theordore also took confidence from a nice Cranbourne gallop from Crack A Roadie on Monday where Williams was also aboard.
“The colt was a scratching from the $250,000 Inglis Premier at Mornington last week so he had to have a really good gallop,” Theodore said.
“Craig gave us the two thumbs up afterwards so he’s happy too and convinced the horse is in perfect order.
“Maybe I’ll be a genius on Saturday if he comes out and wins the Diamond first-up.”
It is the fillies dominating this year’s Blue Diamond Stakes betting markets with the Peter Snowden-trained Guelph out wide in 13 with Kerrin McEvoy to ride and undefeated Miracles Of Life from Adelaide batting for favouritism.
Crack A Roadie meanwhile can be found further down the Blue Diamond odds at a generous quote of around $21 which is equal with the likes of the David Hayes-trained Commands filly Gregers who won her debut at the start of the month and Michael Kent’s Godiva Rock.
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