John O’Shea talks up chances at 2016 Blue Diamond Stakes
THE $1.5 million Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield is a major target for most stables, but racing powerhouse Godolphin like to prepare early for the February 27 feature.
Godolphin trainer John O’Shea has discussed his main chances heading into the two-year-old event and he’s labelled Calliope ($9 at Sportsbet) and an unraced filly Precautions as strong winning chances.
Calliope won the Listed Gimcrack with an impressive last-to-first performance at Randwick and hasn’t raced since due to a lack of suitable races.
“The Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude, over 1100 meters at Caulfield on Friday 13 is her next scheduled start, with the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes two weeks later hopefully her next target after that,” O’Shea said.
“If all goes well, the Group 1 Golden Slipper is also a possibility.”
Precautions is an unraced filly by Lonhro which O’Shea described as “a lovely filly, who I believe has a lot of ability” and it won a jumpout at Werribee by six lengths which is a good indication of ability.
“I like the way she is progressing,” O’Shea said. “She is another, who will start her campaign in Melbourne, with a view to target the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes on February 27.”
O’Shea has also identified some Golden Slipper chances after Saturday winners Astern and Souchez impressed on the racetrack.
“He [Astern] has come through his first start on December 5 very well,” O’Shea said. “He won that very easily.
“We have since given him an easy couple of weeks, and now we will start his build-up to the Group 1 Golden Slipper, taking in the Group 2 Silver Slipper [Stakes] and the Group 2 Todman [Stakes] along the way. He is straightforward to handle and to train.”
Astern is the current $9 second favourite at Sportsbet.com.au for the Golden Slipper with stablemate Souchez a longer odds chance at $34.
The Golden Slipper didn’t quite come to fruition for O’Shea in 2015 with Exosphere failing to handle the track, but he believes this crop of two-year-olds could have what it takes this season.
“Twelves months ago, we had many fast-running young horses, but this time around, we have not had as many ready to go before Christmas,” he said.
“This is because we have a lot, who are going to be better over 1200 metres to 1400 metres, many of them by Lonhro and Street Cry.”
O’Shea added another runner to his list of possible Golden Slipper runners with Telperion, a Street Cry colt which placed in behind Yankee Rose and Faraway Town on debut.
“He is a big, strong Street Cry colt that I really like,” O’Shea said. “He’s got plenty of quality about him.
“He’s the type who could progress to races such as the Group 2 [VRC] Sires’ Produce and the Group 1 Champagne Stakes. But a crack at the Group 1 Golden Slipper could be on the cards if he develops as I think he might.”
Telperion is worth a chance at $51 with CrownBet.com.au for the Golden Slipper.
Godolphin and Darley brands merge
The racing and breeding empires of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum will merge as one under the Godolphin brand in the new year.
Darley will now fit under Godolphin in an effort to re-shape and streamline the business. Darley will now only be used as a brand to promote stallions.
Newly appointed Chief Executive and Racing Manager and former jumps trainer John Ferguson, believes the changes will help build the evolving Godolphin brand.
“It is an exciting new chapter in the Godolphin story,” Ferguson said. “Our long-term objective is to improve on Godolphin’s results on the racetrack.
“I feel honoured to be appointed Chief Executive and Racing Manager, but I realise that it will require more of my time and attention.
“I will miss the training. Jump racing has always been one of my sporting passions, and I love the involvement.
“I am grateful to Sheikh Mohammed for giving me the horses to send jumping in the first place. In fact, he wanted me to continue, but I could see that Godolphin must always be a priority and requires my undivided attention.
“It makes sense for the racing and breeding operations to merge. One is sourcing the other, and a well-planned, common strategy can only strengthen both.
“We must ensure that Godolphin continues to represent excellence in racing, and that the brand serves as a constant reminder of the vibrancy and energy of Dubai,” he said.