A battle between the boys boiled down to another nail-biting photo at Caulfield on Saturday as only millimeters separated the favourite General Beau from Anamoe in the 2021 Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) results.
The colt by Brazen Beau surprisingly went forward to share the lead with Extreme Warrior over the 1100m and looked to be home and hosed before Damien Oliver burst onto the scene late under Godolphin’s promising young two-year-old.
After several minutes of uncertainty, General Beau was deemed the winner by a very fine margin, leaving connections with a big decision to make as they contemplate a late acceptance fee to line up in the $1.5 million Neds Blue Diamond Stakes in a fortnight’s time.
General Beau (outside) gets the head down to win Saturday’s Blue Diamond Prelude. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
“That’s a decision to be made because we’ve got to pay a late entry fee. We’ll have the conversation later in the week and see how he pulls up,” co-trainer Matthew Ellerton told racing.com.
General Beau, who won the Blue Diamond Preview on Australia Day by half a length from Extreme Warrior, is now hoping to become just the fifth horse to complete the Preview-Prelude-Blue Diamond three-peat, a milestone Jamie Kah feels he’s more than capable of achieving.
“He just needs pace, he had so much left, he was just idling and just pricking his ears,” Kah said after Saturday’s win.
“I’d love for them to push on to the Diamond, I think they’ll get what they need, they’ll get some pace and I think he’ll be a different horse chasing.”
Despite not holding a nomination for the Blue Diamond, General Beau has still seen a trim in the all-in markets at Ladbrokes.com.au, firming from $15.00 into $10.00 ahead of Fillies Prelude winner Arcaded.
Anamoe, on the other hand, has seen equal love firming from $15.00 into $10.00 behind the favourite Enthaar ($2.40) and second-elect Profiteer ($9.00).
Full All-In 2021 Blue Diamond Stakes odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au can be viewed here.
2021 Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | GENERAL BEAU | Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra | Ms Jamie Kah | 3 | 57kg | $3.10F | |||
| 2 | 2 | ANAMOE | James Cummings | Damien Oliver | 0.1L | 4 | 57kg | $6.50 | ||
| 3 | 7 | JIGSAW | Cindy Alderson | Michael Walker | 1.35L | 9 | 57kg | $3.70 | ||
| 4 | 9 | KALLOS | James Cummings | Mark Zahra | 2.6L | 2 | 57kg | $17 | ||
| 5 | 3 | EXTREME WARRIOR | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Michael Dee | 2.7L | 1 | 57kg | $7.50 | ||
| 6 | 6 | MARINE ONE | Lloyd Kennewell | Zac Spain | 2.8L | 7 | 57kg | $26 | ||
| 7 | 11 | HITOTSU | Wendy Kelly | Craig Newitt | 3.2L | 5 | 57kg | $91 | ||
| 8 | 4 | CONSTRUCT | Peter & Paul Snowden | Jye McNeil | 3.3L | 10 | 57kg | $16 | ||
| 9 | 5 | YULONG TURBO | Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes | Damian Lane | 3.4L | 8 | 57kg | $21 | ||
| 10 | 8 | UMGAWA | Leon & Troy Corstens | Glen Boss | 7.15L | 11 | 57kg | $101 | ||
| 11 | 10 | ALMIGHTY RISING | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Craig Williams | 7.65L | 6 | 57kg | $21 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
