Blue Diamond Stakes: Mark Zahra gets redemptions with Daumier

Mark Zahra broke through for his first Blue Diamond triumph as Anthony Freedman joined training icons as a three-time winner of the race.

Mark Zahra wins the Blue Diamond Stake on Daumier at Caulfield. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Star jockey Mark Zahra toasted Group 1 Blue Diamond redemption on Saturday, with Daumier holding out favourite Revolutionary Miss at Caulfield.

After playing a part in two successful Blue Diamond campaigns, Artorius (2020) and Sepoy (2011), without actually winning Victoria’s richest two-year-old race, Zahra reigned victorious at Caulfield.

Zahra rode Artorius before last year‘s Diamond but jumped off to partner favourite Enthaar instead.

The West Australian also did the grunt work with Sepoy, winning the Blue Diamond Preview and Prelude, before Darley/Godolphin’s then retained jockey Kerrin McEvoy finished the job.

“It’s very special,” elated Zahra said.

“I’ve picked the wrong horse in this race probably for about the last 10 years running and had a choice of a couple in this, so it’s good (to get it right).”

Daumier gets the job done... JUST 😵

What a win for @FreedmanRacing 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ZYZU5KxdjF

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 26, 2022

Zahra rated Daumier sweetly behind the speed – Semillion, English Riviera and Miss Roseiano – before sliding off their heels to launch an attack.

Daumier, with the blinkers on for the first time, pinched a break and fought hard at the finish to hold out Revolutionary Miss.

Backmarker Jacquinot, deposed as Diamond favourite minutes before the jump as punters reacted to Caulfield playing favourably to horses on-speed, was enormous in third only beaten half a length.

While being a breakthrough winner for Zahra, Godolphin-owned colt Daumier handed Anthony Freedman his third Blue Diamond triumph and second in a row with son and co-trainer Sam.

Mark Zahra with the Blue Diamond trophy. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Freedman joined older brother Lee as a three-time winner of the race, alongside fellow icons Angus Armanasco, Tommy Smith and Colin Hayes.

David Hayes boasts a record six Blue Diamonds.

Astute horseman Sam Freedman praised the collective efforts behind the scenes.

“It’s been a fair sort of build up to this but the staff at Pinecliff and Flemington, I stand here and do the interviews after a win like this but they’re doing all the hard work,” a modest Freedman said.

“Mark Zahra gave him a great ride. To Goldolphin, they’ve supported us with a handful of horses every year and everyone there is a pleasure to deal with, they let us place the horses as we wish.

“To the horse’s credit he really knuckled down there late. This colt has shown very good ability from day one and it’s nice to see it come to fruition.”

Daumier holds off Revolutionary Miss to claim the Blue Diamond. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Just as they did last year with Artorius, the Freedmans saved the blinkers for Daumier’s grand final.

“The Preview was a look and see,” Freedman said.

“We probably didn’t think he would win over 1000m, we always thought he would be better over 1200. He won that but he had a good look around late.

“We toyed with the idea of putting winkers on him or something for the Prelude.

“Ultimately, we needed to find a couple of lengths today, it was the same story probably with Artorius last year. He worked super in them on Tuesday.

“You’ve got to be right on top of your game and thankfully he was today.”

TAB BETTING REPORT FOR CAULFIELD

RACE 1: Generation jumped at $1.85 with close to 60 per cent of the money in the Caulfield opener but couldn’t run down an impressive Finance Tycoon ($6.50), who in comparison took just under 10 per cent of the interest as third favourite behind Mars Mission ($2.90).

Bets: Finance Tycoon - $1000 @ $6.50

RACE 2: Flying Mascot lived up to the hype and short price in the Mannerism Stakes with a dominate hold of almost 65 per cent at $1.80. The big bets including $10,000 at $1.85, $5,000 @ $1.80 and multiple outlays of $2,000 at the same price.

Bets: Flying Mascot - $10,000 @ $1.85, $5000 at $1.80, $3000 @ $1.80

RACE 3: Castlereagh Kid ($4) had drifted through the morning despite being the only challenger to favourite El Patroness ($3.60) in the market.

Bets: El Patroness $10,000 @ $3.70

RACE 4: Lavish Girl was a big winner for those who found her but took the wind out of more than a few punters with Argentia ($2.40) one of the heaviest backed favourites at Caulfield. After drifting from $12 to $16, Lavish Girl held just under two per cent of support compared to 50 per cent with Argentia.

Bets: Lavish Girl $400 each-way @ $15 and $3.40

RACE 5: The favourite followers were back on track in the sixth as Damien Oliver steered the well supported Cascadian clear at $1.95. The notable bets were headlined by $5,000 at $1.90 and $4,000 at $1.90, while there were multiple bets of $1,000 at $1.90.

Bets: Cascadian - $5000 @ $1.90, $4000 @ $1.95

RACE 6: Sierra Sue’s odds were slashed from $51 into $13 for the All-Star Mile after victory in the Futurity Stakes. I’m Thunderstruck ($5) was best backed in the first of the Caulfield Group Ones despite being on the third line of betting ahead of Mo’unga ($4.40) and favourite Tofane ($2.30). Sierra Sue was next best supported with only a seven per cent share after drifting from $10 to $13 during the day.

Bets: Sierra Sue $600 @ $11, $500 @ $10

RACE 7: In a classic Blue Diamond Stakes finish, Daumier ($21) got the nod for Anthony and Sam Freedman on the post at $21 to upstage favourites Revolutionary Miss ($4.60) and Jacquinot ($4.40), who consumed more than half the market between them. Daumier was cut from $26 to $15 for the Golden Slipper as was Revolutionary Miss with Jacquinot tightening from $21-$18.

Bets: Daumier - $1500 @ $18, $1000 @ $16

RACE 8: Marabi was tightened from $18 in to $13 for the TAB Everest after making it seven from seven in claiming the Oakleigh Plate. With a great ride from Ben Allen, Marabi ($2.60) kept punters smiling having dominated betting with 45 per cent of the money in the Group One and being the best backed on the Caulfield card overall.

Bets: Marabi - $8000 @ $2.80, $6000 @ $2.25, $3000 @ $2.40, $3000 @ $2.25 (three times)

RACE 9: Desert Icon was $1.75 to claim the last and looked set to justify the price until Defibrillate kicked home late. At $8.50, Defibrillate still enjoyed decent support as third best-backed starter.

Bets: Defibrillate $1000 @ $10

Originally published as Blue Diamond Stakes: Mark Zahra gets redemptions with Daumier