Pariah stakes Blue Diamond claims
Pariah has rocketed to joint favouritism for the Blue Diamond Stakes after winning the Group Three Canonbury Stakes at Rosehill.
Trainers Peter and Paul Snowden teamed up with James Harron Bloodstock to win last year’s Golden Slipper with Capitalist and the combination appears to have retained its lethal edge with two-year-old colts.
Breeders’ Plate winner Khan also carries Harron’s green and gold silks and sits on the third line of betting to give the Snowdens back-to-back Slippers.
Pariah ($5.50) showed professionalism on debut at Rosehill on Saturday, relaxing well under jockey Kerrin McEvoy before taking control at the 200m mark and drawing away to win by a length.
“He’s a really nice horse. He has been from day one,” Peter Snowden said.
Menari jumped the $1.80 favourite but was desperately unlucky, unable to find clear running until it was too late and ran home late to edge out Godolphin colt Malahat ($21) for second.
“The favourite didn’t have much luck either to be buried away but this horse has so much upside to him,” Snowden said.
“That’s his very first start today so he’s only going to improve from that.”
After Pariah’s win he was made the $9 top pick for the Group One Blue Diamond at Caulfield on February 25, sharing favouritism with Tulip and Limestone.
Pariah will head to Melbourne for the Blue Diamond Prelude on February 11 while Khan, who trialled impressively on Friday, is being aimed at the Group Two Silver Slipper at Rosehill on February 18.
Harron paid $700,000 for Pariah who is closely related to Group One winner Melito.