Jason Warren changes tactics with Palm Angel in Blue Diamond fillies prelude
Trainer Jason Warren will revert to the tactics that saw Palm Angel win on debut when the filly lines up in the Blue Diamond Prelude on Saturday.
Horse Racing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Punters can expect a more aggressive tactics on impressive debut winner Palm Angel in Saturday’s Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude for fillies at Caulfield.
Palm Angel led throughout to win the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes at Caulfield in the spring but was ridden off the pace when a well-held fifth when resuming in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview at Sandown last month.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Palm Angel’s trainer Jason Warren said the differing tactics were necessary after the two-year-old drew the outside barrier for her Sandown assignment.
“She just needed the run first-up,” Warren said.
“(Jockey) Ethan (Brown) had to ride her back from the gate first-up and we rode her to her barrier and to where she’s at in her preparation.
“I didn’t want to have her too forward and she wasn’t wound up.”
However, the barrier draw computer favoured Palm Angel after the Starspangledbanner filly drew barrier five while the short-priced favourite My Gladiola drew barrier 12.
Warren said the improved draw and the fitness gained from her first-up run would allow Brown to push forward on Palm Angel in a similar manner to her first-up win.
“She’ll be a lot more forward this week,” Warren said.
“We were already qualified for the Blue Diamond (Stakes) so we’re bringing her to her peak when she’s ready.”
• Brad Waters’ race-by-race tips, analysis for Caulfield on Saturday
While Warren has Palm Angle on track for the Blue Diamond Stakes later this month, the trainer is aiming to win the Adelaide Cup with Grand Pierro.
Grand Pierro won the Listed Bagot Handicap on New Year’s Day but will run The BD Hoof Hustle (2000m) at Caulfield to prepare the stayer for his Adelaide trip.
“He’s done too well since the Bagot but he may need the run Saturday,” Warren said.
“He’ll head across to Adelaide for the Lord Reims Stakes before the Adelaide Cup after that.”
Colt should be good as Gold
Improved behaviour in the parade ring could produce a better performance from Yamashita’s Gold in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield.
Yamashita’s Gold put on a performance in the mounting yard at Sandown, proving hard to handle with his coltish tendencies on full display, making life difficult for jockey Jamie Mott pre-race.
Yamashita’s Gold also found trouble on the track in the Blue Diamond Preview, suffering a severe check mid-race, also diverting hit attention.
Yet the Gavin Bedggood-trained youngster showed enough ability to finish second, 1¾ lengths from the winner Shining Smile.
Mott said Yamashita’s Gold’s behaviour surprised him after the son of boom stallion Wootton Bassett showed no similar signs in his work leading up to the Sandown race.
“It was his first trip away from home and he just got excited and above himself,” Mott said.
“I’d galloped him leading into that race and he was like a pony and I galloped him after it at Caulfield and he was quiet again.
“It wasn’t only his behaviour but also he got a bad check in the middle stages as well.
“He had a lot against him but I thought his run was very good all things considered.”
• Hayes ‘trusts’ ill Williams will be back for Mr Brightside
Yamashita’s Gold will face a bigger field in Saturday’s Blue Diamond Prelude after competing against five rivals at Sandown.
Mott said having race-day experience and improved trackwork would help Yamashita’s Gold compete in the deeper race at Caulfield.
“I’m confident he’s going to behave himself now that he’s had the trip away,” Mott said.
“I thought his work going into his first run was good but I think his work going into this run was even better.
“His work on Tuesday was good enough for him to be very competitive in that race.”
Yamashita’s Gold is a $19 chance in early betting on the Blue Diamond Prelude for colts and geldings.
Originally published as Jason Warren changes tactics with Palm Angel in Blue Diamond fillies prelude
Canterbury, Walcha previews: Libertini connection on a roll
Anthony Cummings and Gerry Harvey aim to win their second race this week as a pair when the gelded Straand Beauty resumes under lights at Canterbury
Hayes ‘trusts’ ill Williams will be back for Mr Brightside
Lindsay Park co-trainer JD Hayes is confident Craig Williams will recover from illness to ride champion Mr Brightside in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes on Saturday.