Four-time winner Dwayne Dunn gives his assessment of every Blue Diamond runner

Four-time Blue Diamond-winning rider Dwayne Dunn joins Brad Waters and Gilbert Gardiner to look at the chances of each runner in Saturday’s $1.5m feature.

Jockey Dwayne Dunn celebrates the third of his four Blue Diamond triumphs on Sleek Chassis in 2007.

Four-time Blue Diamond Stakes-winning rider Dwayne Dunn joins Herald Sun racing writers Brad Waters and Gilbert Gardiner to look at the chances of each runner in Saturday’s $1.5m contest.

RACE DETAILS

1200m, Caulfield race 7

Saturday at 4:25pm

1. SEMILLION (16) – $19

Trainer: Hawkes Racing. Jockey: Damien Oliver 57kg

Dwayne says: Nice horse. Barrier not ideal, will press forward and make its own luck.

Brad says: Smart colt that showed pace and fought on well in the Prelude. Draw makes it tough, but he has the talent.

Gilbert says: Really liked him going into the Prelude but not from the barrier.

2. LOFTY STRIKE (13) – $7.50

Trainer: Julius Sandhu. Jockey: Jamie Mott 57kg

Dwayne says: I really like this horse, has a good racing pattern and maps for a good run in transit to be finishing strong, I would like blinkers on.

Brad says: Cannot knock his form to date and he has a solid finish on home. The pre-race vetting process isn’t ideal but he’s good enough.

Gilbert says: Big powerful colt looks ready to win — as long as he gets by the vetting process unscathed.

3. DAUMIER (5) – $15

Trainers: Anthony & Sam Freedman. Jockey: Mark Zahra 57kg

Dwayne says: Blinkers on a positive. He looked the goods early but needs to lift.

Brad says: Had every chance in the Prelude and other colts are ahead of him before we even look at the fillies.

Gilbert says: Sneaky good run in the Prelude, caught on wrong part of the track potentially. Big danger.

4. SEBONACK (8) – $7

Trainers: Hawkes Racing. Jockey: Jye McNeil 57kg

Dwayne says: Very nice horse, good barrier, just lacks race experience.

Brad says: Solid debut winner over 1000m and avoided the Preludes. In the right stable to show up.

Gilbert says: Will need to be every bit as good as he looks to win a Group 1 at only second career start.

5. COUNTTHEHEADLIGHTS (7) – $17

Trainers: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace. Jockey: Ben Allen 57kg

Dwayne says: I think may just lack the class required for this event.

Brad says: Didn’t quicken well enough in the Prelude. Will be strong late over 1200m but 1400m might suit him now.

Gilbert says: Will the big colt get the room he needs to show best from a middle barrier?

Lofty Strike is Dwayne Dunn’s tip for the $1.5m Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

6. JACQUINOT (10) – $5

Trainers: Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr. Jockey: Damian Lane 57kg

Dwayne says: Best horse in the race but the start and racing pattern is always a concern. Needs luck in running with this big field.

Brad says: Quality colt but the start is the big question with him. If he jumps cleanly, he’s definitely a winning chance in an open year.

Gilbert says: You’ll know five seconds into the race. If he jumps, he wins.

7. RAMPANT LION (6) – $19

Trainer: Peter Moody. Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy 57kg

Dwayne says: Going OK but may lack a killer punch.

Brad says: Honest colt but he’s unlikely to break his maiden here.

Gilbert says: Will be better over further.

8. MERCHANT PRINCE (12) – $71

Trainer: Peter Moody. Jockey: Luke Nolen 57kg

Dwayne says: More of a Guineas style of horse for mine. Wait for him as a three-year-old.

Brad says: Shown ability in easier races but this looks too tough for him at this stage.

Gilbert says: Looks to have X-factor but big step up in grade.

9. FLASHING STEEL (2) – $151

Trainer: Annabel Neasham. Jockey: Brodie Loy 57kg

Dwayne says: Running OK in Sydney not beaten far, good barrier. Caulfield first time a query.

Brad says: Drawn well and blinkers on but Sydney form only entitles him to a place chance.

Gilbert says: Top 10 chance at best.

10. HAFEY (14) – $18

Trainers: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace. Jockey: Craig Williams 57kg

Dwayne says: He looks stylish and was a solid win at Bendigo, got a future but this might be too soon in his career.

Brad says: Easy debut winner at Bendigo but this will be completely different affair.

Gilbert says: Tigers roar in September not February.

11. REVOLUTIONARY MISS (11) – $6

Trainers: Peter and Paul Snowden. Jockey: Jamie Kah 55kg

Dwayne says: Nice win last start and should get a similar run in transit, competitive.

Brad says: Improving filly that charged home to win the fillies’ Prelude. The 1200m will be perfect for her and the fillies form is solid.

Gilbert says: Pick of the fillies and drawn to savage the line again.

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained Jacquinot is the pre-post favourite for the Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

12. MISS ROSEIANO (9) – $10

Trainer: Peter Gelagotis. Jockey: Jordan Childs 55kg

Dwayne says: Fast horse that looks like she would be better to lead by herself which may help her relax and run the distance, will be there for a long way.

Brad says: Showed good speed and plenty of fight in her two runs to date. Will go forward and be hard to run down again.

Gilbert says: Tough filly who has absorbed a lot of pressure in her races. Vulnerable late.

13. KIKI EXPRESS (3) – $34

Trainer: Mathew Ellerton. Jockey: Damien Thornton 55kg

Dwayne says: Good barrier, might struggle at this level.

Brad says: Likely to struggle here.

Gilbert says: Not up to these.

14. ENGLISH RIVIERA (4) – $19

Trainers: Tony and Calvin McEvoy. Jockey: John Allen 55kg

Dwayne says: Been running OK. I would like to see her as a three-year-old. She can run top five but might be a Thousand Guineas type horse later in life.

Brad says: Not far away from some of the main Blue Diamond chances in her first two runs. Drawn to have every chance in this.

Gilbert says: Right formlines but has a couple others ahead of her.

15. WALTZ ON BY (4) – $18

Trainer: Peter Moody. Jockey: Blaike McDougall 55kg

Dwayne says: This is the runner at a good price I like. Forgive first start at Caulfield and was gallant in defeat at Flemington, should get a great run third on the fence.

Brad says: Had her chance at Flemington last Saturday and this will be harder. Place best.

Gilbert says: Dwayne rode the last filly (Sleek Chassis, 2007) to complete the Talindert-Blue Diamond double.

16. SEVEN SISTERS (15) – $34

Trainer: James Cummings. Jockey: Fred Kersley 55kg

Dwayne says: They may have learnt something with her going back last start and she finished strongly. Not the worst.

Brad says: Chased steadily in the fillies Prelude and the 1200m won’t be a worry. Place chance.

Gilbert says: Best roughie should be glued to the back of Revolutionary Miss.

DWAYNE DUNN TIPS

1. Lofty Strike

2. Jacquinot

3. Waltz On By

4. Semillion

BRAD WATERS TIPS

1. Revolutionary Miss

2. Miss Roseiano

3. Lofty Strike

4. Sebonack

GILBERT GARDINER TIPS

1 Lofty Strike

2 Revolutionary Miss

3 Sebonack

4 Seven Sisters

Originally published as Four-time winner Dwayne Dunn gives his assessment of every Blue Diamond runner