With his connections making the decision to fork out a AU$55,000 late entry fee for the Feb. 22 Blue Diamond Stakes (G1), Field of Play heads the market for the AU$2 million group 1 after a perfect barrier draw.
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained gelding drew gate 5 of 16 for Victoria's most prestigious 2-year-old race over 1,200 meters (about six furlongs) at Caulfield Racecourse.
Field of Play was not nominated for the Blue Diamond when entries closed last year, but a win at The Valley on debut before victory in the Blue Diamond Prelude (G3) Feb. 8 tempted connections to take their chance, and Busuttin said the son of Deep Field has improved since his latest win.
"He worked perfect this morning (Feb. 18)," the trainer said. "Touch wood, it's been very smooth, very trouble free. After his gallop, I said the only thing that could go off the rails was a bad draw, and luckily we've got a good draw, and all we have to do now is keep him nice and tidy until Saturday and he'll run well."
Field of Play remained favorite at AU$5 for the Blue Diamond following Tuesday's draw and heads the market from My Gladiola and Palm Angel, both at AU$7.
The John McArdle-trained My Gladiola, who had been the Blue Diamond favorite after her impressive debut win in the Blue Diamond Preview (G3) at Sandown Jan. 25, drew barrier 11 and will be ridden reservedly after having her colors lowered in the filly's division of the Blue Diamond Prelude (G2) by Palm Angel.
McArdle said My Gladiola had taken no ill effects from her last start and is looking for the filly to bounce back.
"She galloped this morning with Jamie (Mott) aboard at Mornington—her work on the analytics was as good as my eye and Jamie's feel, which was identical to before the Preview, so she seems to be in good order," McArdle said. "Barrier 11, we'll go back, and it will be what it will be, but if we can get a toe into the race, she's got an electric turn of foot."
Meanwhile, Jason Warren said that barrier 1 suits Palm Angel, who will again be ridden by Ethan Brown.
"She's a speed filly that will be able to hold a spot and make use of the barrier," the trainer said.
"She'll settle behind the leaders, and I think Ethan will be afforded the luxury of a soft enough run and hopefully he can get her out when he needs to."
