Pride Of Dubai wins 2015 William Hill Blue Diamond Stks Group 1 $1 Million at Caulfield (VIC) 2yo, 1200m.
Pride Of Dubai did not show any pace and was tenth in the early stages before Damian Browne urged him to improve and he recovered along the rails to be in eighth place at the 800m. He continued along the rails rounding the home turn and got a run through shortly afterwards but was badly crowded before getting to the front at the 100m. He then dug deep to score by a head, in a smart performance at his third race start. He has a lot of potential for improvement and is a quality colt.
The filly Reemah, a $101 outsider, went back from her wide barrier (12), was near last on the rails at the 700m. She got a split rounding the home turn, switched out at the 300m, put in a strong run to challenge at the 100m and battled very well for second.
Lake Geneva was wide in the early stages from barrier ten, eased to be 11th at the 600m before making ground between runners on straightening. She got to fifth at the 100m and kept running on well for a very promising third, at only her second race start.
Manhattan Blues was midfield and wide with cover. She improved (wide out) rounding the home turn and made good ground for fourth, beaten three lengths.
The favourite Fontiton got a good trip from her inside barrier (1) racing in fourth place on the rails. She switched into clear running on turning for home, met some interference at the 200m but just battled from that point to finish (3.4 lengths) fifth, her first defeat in four starts.
