Matt Laurie two-year-old Coleman on track for shot at Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield

Top Blue Diamond hope Coleman is nearly ready to ramp up his autumn campaign with an upcoming trial at Mornington.

Coleman was a dominant winner at his only outing in the Listed Debutant Stakes at Caulfield last October. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

A leading Blue Diamond fancy is almost at trial stage as the colt prepares for his return to racing early next month.

Pierata colt Coleman has returned to work with the autumn’s big two-year-old double, the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper the main goals for the Matt Laurie-trained youngster.

Coleman stepped out once in the spring for a comfortable win in the Listed Debutant Stakes at Caulfield on October 18 last year.

Coleman banked $112,000 for his debut win, booking his place in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield on February 24.

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The youngster’s prizemoney tally provided Laurie with the ability to limit Coleman’s racing in the lead-up to his $2m goal.

“I’m thinking he’ll resume in either the Chairman’s Stakes or the race leading two weeks into the Blue Diamond (the Blue Diamond Prelude),” Laurie said.

“I don’t think it’s necessary to run in all the lead-up races. I don’t want to put too much pressure on him before the grand final.”

Laurie noted the form out of the Debutant Stakes stood up while Coleman was in the spelling paddock with the runner-up Arabian Summer easily winning the $250,000 Magic Millions Classic on Ballarat Cup Day.

The hype is real 🔥

Coleman charges home to a classy victory in the Debutant Stakes 👌@[e-mail]/PMkrWpBW8H

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 18, 2023

The third horse Vianarra placed behind the promising Parkour in Sydney last Saturday.

“The form is just starting to show from that Debutant race and it’s pleasing,” Laurie said.

“But so often these horses can come out of the woodwork.

“He’s done pretty well and he’s probably still growing a bit but he’s moving well and everything is looking good thus far.

“We’re not taking anything for granted but we’re excited to have him.”

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TAB rated Coleman as a $26 chance in Golden Slipper betting.

The Golden Slipper is still 11 weeks away but Laurie said planning for a possible start in the world’s richest two-year-old race at Rosehill was necessary.

“I think it’s a month between the Blue Diamond and the Slipper but he’d have to go up there and trial the reverse way,” Laurie said.

“There’s still a hell of a long way to go but you’ve got to think about those things.”

Originally published as Matt Laurie two-year-old Coleman on track for shot at Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield