This Saturday jockey Dwayne Dunn will shoot for his incredible fifth Blue Diamond Stakes victory partnering with the Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes-trained filly Lake Geneva in the Caulfield classic.
Four-time Blue Diamond Stakes winning jockey Dwayne Dunn shoots for his fifth in the classic at Caulfield on Saturday aboard Lake Geneva. Photo: Sarah Ebbett.
There are 15 two-year-olds in the mix for this weekend’s $1 million Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) including eight fillies looking to be the fourth female winner of the race in as many years.
Fillies have dominated the Blue Diamond Stakes results in recent years with three consecutive victories with: Samaready (2012), Miracles Of Life (2013) and Earthquake (2014).
Current Blue Diamond Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au for this year’s race are also dominated by a smart filly, the Robert Smerdon-trained BD Preview – Prelude winner Fontiton at $2.40 to remain undefeated with her fourth career win.
She’s the firming top fancy too after coming up with the inside alley for jockey Mark Zahra, barrier one most recently producing a Blue Diamond Stakes winner just two years ago with Miracles Of Life.
Further down the Blue Diamond Stakes betting markets but not without her claims is then Dunn’s mount Lake Geneva for Team Hawkes in barrier 11 at a quote of $11.
It is a bad gate historically for the daughter of Fastnet Rock as it is one of just three barriers not to have produced a Blue Diamond Stakes winner in the past 33 years along with six and 16.
“Barrier 11, it could be a little bit sticky with what we do but she’s got good gate speed to have the different options,” Dunn told Racenet.
“This race, there are always a few mindful of the 1200 (metres) for the first time so it’s tricky early.”
She might not have the right barrier but Lake Geneva certainly has the right jockey in the saddle, Dunn the most successful Blue Diamond Stakes hoop in history.
He has had eight rides and boasts a 50% win rate in the race with four winners plus an additional two third place finishes, further highlighting his adeptness in the Blue Diamond.
All four of Dunn’s Blue Diamond Stakes winners won consecutively with the David Hayes-trained trio of Reaan (2008), Sleek Chassis (2007) and Nadeem (2006) after his first victory aboard the Mark Kavanagh-trained Undoubtedly (2005).
It has been seven years between Blue Diamond drinks then for Dunn, a spell he hopes to break with Lake Geneva having just her second career start in the race.
She debuted on January 31 at Rosehill Gardens when a close second to Fireworks in the Group 3 Widden Stakes (1100m) so goes into the Blue Diamond Stakes off a four week freshen-up without a previous start in Melbourne.
Dunn remains hopeful however that they can score an upset in Saturday’s feature race with Lake Geneva out to become the first maiden to win the Blue Diamond Stakes since Principality 20 years ago.
“It’s usually hard for maidens to get into that race because they need good prize money to make it,” he said.
“This year it’s not a full field but she probably would have enough prize money to get in most years.
“She goes into the race a maiden but she just missed in the bob of the heads so it’s not like she was well beaten.
“She’s got the pedigree to be up in a race like the Blue Diamond and she’s trialled since her first race and we’re pretty happy with her.”
To check out the full Blue Diamond Stakes 2015 odds and back your favourite youngsters at the best price visit Ladbrokes.com.au who are also offering Best Tote or SP + 20% on your winnings for the race on the weekend!
