The stage is set for an exciting Blue Diamond Stakes, the answer to a promoters dream, both the principle players remain unbeaten, the filly Fontiton and the colt Of The Brave.

Each will have their supporters and both camps are confident it may all come down to the one that gets the breaks in running, and the one that doesn’t.

Fontiton had won by a big margin in the spring at Moonee Valley, she took time to win her Preview at Sandown which was nothing flash, however, she stood tall on Saturday with a tradesmen like performance in winning the Prelude at Caulfield.

She finished the race off well giving the impression she will have no bother with the additional 100 metres as she gave her opposition a start, and a sound beating, running the trip out in 1.02.83for the 1100 metres

Robert Smerdon, who prepares the filly, and her rider Mark Zahra, have no concerns about her running the distance, it will be in her favour.

Smerdon hailed her performance “She just keeps stepping up, she flattened out well and ran home strongly, she knows when the pressure is on and delivers,” he said.

They were the sentiments of Mark Zahar as well, “the 1200 metres will suit her down to the ground,” he said

Fontiton winning her Blue Diamond Prelude

THE RILEY camp is playing a straight bat, they are there to meet the challenge, the colt, Of The Brave, has done all that could be expected of him, he has had one run less than the filly, Mark Riley is fully aware of that.

From that very first day at Caulfield when Of The Brave won the Debutante Stakes Riley pulled up stumps, the Blue Diamond took pride of place, that was the prime objective, the autumn has so much to offer.

Of The Brave has had one less start than Fontiton, we will have to wait and see if that is an advantage.

The colt will be improved from last Saturday’s win, naturally he had not raced since October and he will strip a lot fitter for his next performance.

Barrier positions, as always, play a major role, with the likelihood of a capacity field the draw is paramount, the race can be won or lost at the start.

Of The Brave with Stephen Baster up