Coleman hits target in Chairman’s Stakes as excited trainer Matt Laurie turn focus to Blue Diamond

Relief has turned into excitement for trainer Matt Laurie, who has the new Blue Diamond favourite following Coleman’s dominant win in the Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield.

Coleman surged to Blue Diamond favouritism after winning the Chairman's Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Unbeaten colt Coleman rocketed to the top of Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes betting after a brilliant Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes victory at Caulfield on Saturday.

The Matt Laurie-trained son of Pierata tracked Counteroffensive into the straight and powered past the leader inside the last 100m.

Runner-up and second favourite Eneeza, trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, finished 2¾ lengths behind the winner.

“That was a really good win,” Laurie said.

“The (Peter and Paul) Snowden horse (Counteroffensive) had him chasing a bit and there was a split second there where he looked like he was going to come off the bridle but when he picked it back up he was super powerful on the line, a really impressive colt.

“We got an excited few weeks ahead.”

Coleman makes it two from two ✅

He is the new favourite for the Blue Diamond Stakes 👀 @BMelham and @mattlaurierace pick up doubles at Caulfield 👏 pic.twitter.com/4kwbiv63vx

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 3, 2024

Coleman’s ability to absorb pressure on Saturday and respond to the urging of jockey Ben Melham to reel in the leader and win stylishly most impressed Laurie.

“The sky is the limit at this point, he was very impressive, the win, and I think Peter’s horse (Eneeza) is very smart and he’s put her away pretty comfortably,” Laurie said.

“I think six furlongs (1200m) won’t be a problem, a high pressure race, genuine speed, it looks like he’s going to lap it up, so looking forward to it.”

Coleman firmed $8 into $4.50 favourite with TAB for the Blue Diamond Stakes on February 24, while Eneeza shortened $10 into $6 third elect.

High Octane, who has been favourite since winning the Blue Diamond Preview last start, could reclaim top billing with another blistering performance in the Prelude on Saturday at Caulfield.

Laurie embraced the Blue Diamond pressure and expectation after the confidence-boosting win.

Matt Laurie was confident Coleman would win. Picture: Pat Scala/Racing Photos via Getty Images

“I really wanted to get today over because I felt like ‘if he’s as good as we think he is, he should be winning’, so I think today is going to really help me enjoy the next few weeks,” Laurie said.

“Three weeks is nice, you got enough time to let him get over this and working back to here (for the Blue Diamond), I’m sure they’ll open up the grass leading into the race.

“He’s obviously a pretty clean winded, athletic type horse, so three weeks is perfect.”

Melham lauded Coleman’s brilliance after claiming his third Chairman’s Stakes.

“The question with him is not his ability, he’s got good ability, he’s just a very competitive horse … but Matty’s managed him really well and I like he’s got three weeks from here to the Diamond,” Melham said.

“He’s a really nice colt, a very good colt really I think, still putting it all together but he’s going to be scary when he does.”

Melham won the Chairman’s previously on Atomic (2011) and Zulfiqar (2023).

The Chairman’s has produced three Blue Diamond winners from 15 starters, including Extreme Choice in 2016.

Road To Success (2000) and Redoute’s Choice (1996) also completed the double.

Originally published as Coleman hits target in Chairman’s Stakes as excited trainer Matt Laurie turn focus to Blue Diamond