A winning first-up performance at Caulfield on Saturday has elevated Closer To Free into Blue Diamond Stakes prominence.
Picked up by Danny O’Brien after a fluent Caulfield Heath trial victory prepared by Adrian Corboy last month, Closer To Free debuted in the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) for colts and geldings.
From $201 in ante-post wagering for the February 21 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield, the colt now sits at $7 as second favourite courtesy of his determined display.
According to trainer Danny O’Brien, he pondered saving Closer To Free for next Saturday’s Talindert Stakes (1100m) at Flemington, but midweek hit-outs changed his mind regarding the youngster.
Under jockey Michael Dee, Closer To Free ($13) controlled the race from the outset to win by a length over Guest House ($2.20), from Eternal Warrior ($6) beaten a short-head.
The colt caught O’Brien’s eye well before trialling.
“I saw him in the mounting yard before the trial because I had one in it and Adrian is one of the best, if not the best, breakers and he does all of our yearlings,” O’Brien said.
“I asked him what he was doing down here and he said he was trialling this one with the potential to sell him.
“Before the horse left the mounting yard after the trial, I walked back with him and saw how easily he’d taken it. As Adrian was hosing the horse down, I bought him.
“He’s a beautiful colt and he’s got a proper pedigree. With Street Boss, his first three dams were all two-year-old stakes winners, so there is plenty to like about him.”
Streisand, trained by Clinton McDonald, has firmed to $9 fourth in Blue Diamond odds after prevailing in the fillies and mares Prelude.
The $3 elect Streisand, partnered by Jamie Melham, asserted by three-quarters from longshot Chayan ($51), I Am Aria ($7.50) third by a short-neck.
Unlucky when out of the frame in the Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) last time, the filly travelled sweetly on the speed under Melham.
That duo landed the Diamond with Hayasugi two seasons ago, yet Melham will likely step aside for Ben in the big one soon.
“She’ll go a long way in the Diamond,” McDonald said.
“I think she’s got the right mental aptitude for it and the toughness. I’ve said all the way along she’s a bit like Hayasugi, understated, tough.
“This one has a bit more bitch about her, I suppose, a bit more temperamental whereas Hayasugi was a sweetheart.
“We’re happy to put up with her and we’re looking forward to the next two weeks.”
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The post Blue Diamond Stakes picture reshaped after Preludes first appeared on Just Horse Racing.