Jacquinot out to stay unbeaten in Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield

Smart colt Jacquinot will be out to cement his spot at the top of Blue Diamond betting in the Prelude at Caulfield on Saturday.

Jacquinot emerged as a serious Blue Diamond Stakes contender with his outstanding debut win at Caulfield on Boxing Day. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

A “refuelled” Jacquinot will be out to stamp his authority on his Blue Diamond rivals in Saturday’s colts and geldings prelude at Caulfield.

Jacquinot is the $5 favourite in pre-post Blue Diamond Stakes betting after his outstanding win at Caulfield on Boxing Day.

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained colt is a $2.60 chance to remain unbeaten in his return to racing in the Blue Diamond Prelude.

Jacquinot was a dominant debut winner over 1200m but drops back to 1100m for Saturday’s $300,000 assignment.

Kent Jr said an impressive Cranbourne jumpout had primed Jacquinot for his first start in six weeks.

“We thought after his first start that he could have some time in the paddock, so we’ve refuelled him a little bit,” Kent Jr said.

“He’s back to 1100(m) on Saturday and he’s had a jumpout, which was very stylish, and he’s going very well

“If he can run really well over 1100m, he’s going to be very strong at 1200m two weeks later.”

Jacquinot’s sire Rubick won the Blue Diamond Prelude in 2014 before running fourth in the main event a fortnight later.

Jacquinot is the early favourite for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes after his debut win at Caulfield. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Rubick’s best win was over 1000m in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes as a three-year-old.

But Kent Jr said Jacquinot could end up getting out over more ground via the dam’s side of his pedigree.

“I think he’s a very good colt.

“He’s out of a Pierro mare and he’s very leggy so I think whatever he’s doing now is a bonus because he’s very scopey.

“His dam is a half to Inference and Dragon Leap, who were mile to 10 furlong horses. He’s got that strength in that pedigree.”

Kent Jr said connections have not discussed Jacquinot’s future beyond the Blue Diamond Stakes on February 26.

But he said the youngster would have no trouble standing up through a Golden Slipper campaign should he win the Blue Diamond Stakes.

“We haven’t discussed anything past the Blue Diamond yet, but he actually thrives in the stable,” Kent Jr said.

Jockey Damian Lane will have his first race ride on Jacquinot on Saturday.

Originally published as Jacquinot out to stay unbeaten in Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield