Limestone on target for Diamond Prelude
Limestone will have to be a late entry to run in the $1.5 million Blue Diamond Stakes but can press her claims for inclusion when she lines up in a Prelude at Caulfield.
The Darren Weir-trained Limestone has won her past two starts at Flemington on New Year’s Day and the fillies Preview at Caulfield on January 26.
Her only defeat came on debut at Moonee Valley when she finished third to the unbeaten Catchy who is set to be among her opposition in Saturday’s Blue Diamond Prelude for fillies over 1100m.
Owner David Moodie would need to pay a $55,000 late entry to run Limestone in the Blue Diamond on February 25, with the payment due by the Monday before the race.
“She’s going to run next week and if she wins, gets the prize money, well I’m sure they will,” Weir said.
“I don’t think there’s a problem from David paying up the late entry if I think she’s right to go in the race.
“They’ve done it over the years. If they earn their ticket into it, they’re happy to pay for it.”
Limestone narrowly defeated Tulip in the Fillies Preview and is at $9 in the latest Blue Diamond market.
Weir said Limestone was switched to his Warrnambool stable after her Preview win for a change of scenery.
“She’s done well,” Weir said.
“She’s just been poking along down the beach. We sent her to the beach after her last run just to change things up a bit because there was still a month to the Diamond.
“She’ll be back at Ballarat on Tuesday.”
Saturday’s Caulfield meeting features the first Group One race of 2017 in Melbourne – the C F Orr Stakes over 1400m.
Weir will have a strong hand in the race with Lucky Hussler, Black Heart Bart, Palentino and Japanese import Tosen Stardom all set to run.
Tosen Stardom will be first-up while Black Heart Bart and Palentino are coming through the Australia Stakes.
Lucky Hussler was an unlucky runner when unplaced in the Magic Millions Cup last month.