Jukebox firms in Blue Diamond market after dominant midweek win
JUKEBOX has firmed in for the 2017 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield after an impressive win on debut at Geelong on Thursday.
The Ciaron Maher-trained colt has firmed into $15 at CrownBet.com.au for the feature two-year-old on February 25 and it was considered good enough for jockey Craig Williams to cut his holiday short.
“I cut my holiday short to ride two really nice two-year-olds and he was definitely well worth it, the same as the filly (Catchy) on Saturday,” Williams said.
“He (Jukebox) was down to run on Caulfield Cup day and he didn’t pull up well after a gallop so they put him away.
“The stable’s got a big opinion of him and I’ve had a sit on him and I know he’s got plenty of ability.
“It’s nice to see him go to the races and be very professional and do the job well.”
Jukebox made short work of its rivals over the 1000m distance to score by 1.25 lengths. It was well-backed with bookmakers at $2.40 and Maher’s assistant trainer David Eustace said it’s expected to contest the Blue Diamond Preview on January 26.
Updated selective Blue Diamond Stakes market:
Tulip – $10 at Sportsbet.com.au
Catchy – $11
Formality – $13
Aspect – $13
Cao Cao – $15
Roomooz – $17
Madeenaty – $17
Khan – $17
Jukebox – $19
King’s Authority – $21
Groundbreak – $21
Spoils – $21
Veranillo – $21
Debonairly – $26
Wait For No One – $26
Luiza – $26
Coorg – $26
Vinland – $26
Pariah – $31
Showtime – $34
Waterhouse secures brother of Sebring
Gai Waterhouse purchased Sebring at the Magic Millions Sales in the ring 10 years ago, and she was back at the same venue securing the brother to the Golden Slipper winner.
Waterhouse paid a hefty $1.3 million for the brother to Sebring on Thursday, which will be trained by Waterhouse and her training partner Adrian Bott.
Among the ownership will be Aquis Farm, breeder George Altomonte and long-time associate John Singleton.
“That was very exciting,” Waterhouse said.
“We identified him as soon as we saw him on the farm last year. I’ve had two Golden Slipper winners from the farm (Sebring and Overreach) and I’m hoping this colt will be the third.”
Waterhouse has had great success at the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale, having purchased the likes of Sebring, Pierro and Vancouver. Waterhouse thought $1.3 million for the son of More Than Ready was below market value.
“He’s very masculine, moves very freely and he’s got a good chunk of sex appeal about him,” Waterhouse said.
“I suppose he’s cheap really. Look at his pedigree – Sebring is one of the most exciting young stallions in Australia so why wouldn’t this colt be worth the price?
“If he went to Easter I think he’d be a $3 million horse so he’s really half price – I think he’s a bargain.
“I know people expect me to say that but my business is buying horses and I think he is very well bought.”
Thompson pair looking to continue form
Thewayweare and Invincible Knight have been consistent winners for John Thompson, but they both face their toughest tasks to date this Saturday at Randwick.
Thompson is confident they can continue their winning ways with Thewayweare looking for three consecutive victories.
“While they keep winning you keep getting excited,” Thompson said. “Not too many horses string wins together like that and they look to have the potential to keep winning.
“Thewayweare just gets out in front and breaks their hearts by the turn. He will just run along and make them chase.
“He is starting to creep up in the weights but Blake (Spriggs) has a very good record on him and rates him very well.”
Thewayweare lines up in a 3YO Handicap at 4pm where it’s currently paying $4.80 at Bet365.com. The five-year-old rises in grade for this, but it should find the lead easily from the inside barrier.
“He is stepping up in grade but the way he races he makes his own luck,” Thompson said.
Invincible Knight has won four of its last five races and lines up in the $100,000 Schweppes Handicap 3YO at 4.40pm.
Since joining the stable from the Peter Moody stables, Invincible Knight put threw wins together before running midfield in the Queensland Guineas.
“I just went a run too far with him,” Thompson admitted. “He came back and missed the start first-up and was still good enough to win.
“I have a couple of horses for the owner, him and Signposted, and they have both won four races, which is good for business.
“He is the sort of horse that is going to get to black type but we want to see him do it again and keep coming through his grades.”
Invincible Knight is also paying $4.80 to win at CrownBet.com.au and the addition of an apprentice claimer in the saddle helps its chances.
“He is getting up in the weights but Blaike (McDougall) rides all his work and can claim three kilos on him on Saturday, so that helps,” Thompson said.
“I’m mindful that he might be a carnival type, so I have been trying to space his runs because it is still a little way away. We are going to work out a target for him after this run.
“Whether that will be in Sydney or Brisbane (is undecided) but he has got that sort of ability.”