Peter & Paul Snowden’s Prelude winning colt Bodyguard will not get his shot at the double after being official scratched from the 2024 Blue Diamond Stakes field following two failed veterinary examinations.
Prelude (C&G) winner Bodyguard is one of the best in Blue Diamond 2024 betting 2024 this weekend. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
One of the long-time fancies in the markets for this year’s Group 1 $2 million Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), Bodyguard was inspected by Racing Victoria (RV) vets on Thursday and showed signs of lameness.
The unbeaten son of I Am Invincible was re-examined by a panel that included an independent vet on Friday morning but failed again having shown no signs of improvement.
“The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Bodyguard was reinspected today by a panel of three veterinarians (two from RV and one independent) after displaying signs of lameness yesterday,” the report said.
“The colt had not improved and again presented with lameness. Accordingly, Bodyguard will be withdrawn from the race by RV Stewards acting on veterinary advice.”
The scratching comes as a major blow for connections with Bodyguard having been set to chase his third win from as many starts in the Group 1.
The juvenile, purchased for $1.6 million, was also chasing the Prelude – Blue Diamond Stakes double after his good half-length effort in the Group 3 at the track on February 10 first-up.
The scratching leaves jockey Mark Zahra without a ride in the stallion making race.
Bodyguard was drawn barrier six.
The same interests remain represented in the Blue Diamond Stakes field by Pierata colt Fearless who is also trained by the Snowdens.
Fearless has had two starts including an eye-catching second fresh behind Prost at Rosehill in the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes (1100m) at the start of the month.
He pays $34 as an outside in the updated Blue Diamond Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Markets are led by another unbeaten youngster with Matt Laurie’s Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes winner Coleman at $3.50 and firming.
In with a chance at glory now at 50/1 is the Leon & Troy Corstens-trained first emergency In Her Eyes to be ridden by Blaike Mcdougall from barrier nine.
All other Blue Diamond Stakes contenders have now officially been passed fit to run in the event that takes place as Caulfield Race 8 at 4:15pm (AEDT) on Saturday’s 10-race card.
Click here to view the latest Blue Diamond Stakes odds online at Ladbrokes.com.au.
2024 Blue Diamond Stakes Field
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 42×2 | RUE DE ROYALE (NZ) | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Chad Schofield | 17 | 57kg | 77 | ||
| 2 | 1213 | SPYWIRE | Ciaron Maher | John Allen | 18 | 57kg | 75 | ||
| 3 | 1×1 | BODYGUARD | Peter & Paul Snowden | Mark Zahra | 6 | 57kg | 83 | ||
| 4 | 1×1 | COLEMAN | Matt Laurie | Ben Melham | 7 | 57kg | 83 | ||
| 5 | 12 | STAY FOCUSED | Phillip Stokes | Daniel Stackhouse | 15 | 57kg | 77 | ||
| 6 | 421x | DUBLIN DOWN | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Harry Coffey | 3 | 57kg | 74 | ||
| 7 | 213 | TRAFFIC WARDEN | James Cummings | Craig Williams | 14 | 57kg | 74 | ||
| 8 | 15 | HIGH OCTANE | Peter & Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn | 10 | 57kg | 72 | ||
| 9 | 15 | ZESTIMAN | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Declan Bates | 8 | 57kg | 70 | ||
| 10 | 4×2 | FEARLESS | Peter & Paul Snowden | Michael Dee | 16 | 57kg | |||
| 11 | 25×11 | HAYASUGI | Clinton McDonald | Ms Jamie Kah | 11 | 55kg | 83 | ||
| 12 | 21×2 | ENEEZA | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Damian Lane | 5 | 55kg | 76 | ||
| 13 | 4×1 | LADY OF CAMELOT | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Adam Hyeronimus | 4 | 55kg | 80 | ||
| 14 | 12 | KUROYANAGI | Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea | Brenton Avdulla | 2 | 55kg | 72 | ||
| 15 | 33 | MATISSE | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Luke Currie | 1 | 55kg | 71 | ||
| 16 | 1 | FLYER | Jason Warren | Jye McNeil | 13 | 55kg | 64 | ||
| 17e | 27 | IN HER EYES | Leon & Troy Corstens | Blaike McDougall | 9 | 55kg | 63 | ||
| 18e | 3×5 | ALTERMATUM | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | 12 | 55kg | 63 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE?
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
