Godolphin colt Daumier out to deliver Anthony and Sam Freedman third Blue Diamond in four years
Team Freedman has a trick up its sleeve for Godolphin colt Daumier as the stable chases a third Blue Diamond success in four years.
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Forgotten colt Daumier’s work this week with blinkers has fuelled Anthony and Sam Freedman’s quest for a third Group 1 Diamond Stakes in four years, including a second for Godolphin.
Daumier has been racing like a colt crying out for head gear but team Freedman elected to save the shades for Saturday’s “grand final”.
The same tactic paid off last year with Artorius blousing James Cummings-trained Godolphin colts Ingratiating and Anamoe.
Anthony Freedman won the 2019 Blue Diamond with Godolphin filly Lyre.
“Our horse has a good look around, still learning the caper,” Sam Freedman said.
“We kept the blinkers up our sleeve for this weekend, hopefully lightning can strike twice with the blinkers on this horse like it did with Artorius last year.
“He worked in them on Tuesday and relaxed really well and quickened down nicely.
“Being a grand final, there should be good speed (Saturday), he can relax and get into a rhythm, hopefully it helps him to let down that little bit more instantly than he has been.
“He’s taken time to get through his gears and got a bit lost, should be good improvement there hopefully.”
Daumier is a $15 chance with TAB for the Blue Diamond.
He won on debut at Caulfield before a gallant third in the Blue Diamond Prelude last start behind Lofty Strike and Semillion.
The effort in the inferior ground close to the rail only enhanced the performance.
“He was strong to the line, in the wrong part of the track … got a nice draw for Mark (Zahra) to do what he wants with him.
“I’d imagine we won’t be too far away but ideally he won’t be leading (in the run), we’d like to take a sit.”
Daumier has better credentials going into the Blue Diamond than swooping star Artorius last year.
“There's not a whole lot of similarities between them (racing wise) but hopefully the one they can have is they’re both Blue Diamond winners, it’d be nice.”
Freedman highlighted Lofty Strike and Miss Roseiano as hardest to beat in “a very even race”.
“Who gets the luck and who gets the breaks at the right time (will be the winner).”
Team Freedman has a strong team at Caulfield on Saturday, with Australian Guineas and Australian Cup prospects in commission, but also the talented Zouzarella in the Group 1 Surround Stakes in Sydney.
“She loves it wet, it’s not going to be an issue for her,” Freedman said.
“The market might’ve underestimated her a touch … she worked the whole way first up and gave the short-priced favourite the perfect run, so hopefully with a bit of luck she can be right there in there finish.
“She’s right up to them, been beaten a length by Espiona and Fangirl last start and didn’t have a lot go our way, she’s not there to make up the numbers, definitely.”
Zouzarella is a $17 chance with TAB in the Surround Stakes, while Espiona ($2.10) and Fangirl ($4.20) dominate the market.
Originally published as Godolphin colt Daumier out to deliver Anthony and Sam Freedman third Blue Diamond in four years
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