Lofty Strike has turned betting on the Blue Diamond Stakes on its head with an impressive come from behind win at Caulfield.
The Julius Sandhu-trained two-year-old remains unbeaten after scoring on debut at Flemington before his success in the colts and geldings division of the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) on Saturday.
Sandhu said he hopes to be back at Caulfield on February 26 to contest the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) but would not commit to a start until he sees how Lofty Strike recovers.
Ridden by Jamie Mott, Lofty Strike ($10) scored by 1-¼ lengths from Semillion ($7) with Daumier ($8) a half-length away third.
“We’ll go back home and celebrate this a little bit, as we should,” Sandhu said.
“It is an endorsement to the team, not just me, as the stable has worked really hard to keep him the way he is and there’s a lot of excitement, that’s for sure.
“That’s going to be the more exciting factor tomorrow morning. If he’s happy, I’m happy.”
Lofty Strike is now the $6 favourite with TAB for the Blue Diamond with filly’s Prelude winner Revolutionary Miss firming to third line of betting at $8.
Splitting the Prelude winners are Jacquinot and Sebonack at $7.
Under Michael Dee, Revolutionary Miss ($11) defeated the $4.80 equal favourite Miss Roseiano by three-quarters-of-a-length with English Riviera ($7) the same margin off third.
Revolutionary Miss is prepared by Peter and Paul Snowden who won the Blue Diamond in 2015 with Pride Of Dubai.
Peter Snowden said to his eye the rise to 1200m of the Blue Diamond will suit and it will be up to the stable to get her to the race in top order.
“She’s there now. It is a matter of cuddling her,” Snowden said.
“It’s all about keeping her happy, keeping her eating and if she’s in the shape she is now, we’ll be right.”