Nothing has changed since Tuesday’s racing at Caulfield; Extreme Choice still holds sway in the market place, although he didn’t contest the Blue Diamond Preview.

The Mick Price colt has only raced once but it was the one that counted, the $500,000 at Randwick in mid December, a restricted race.

Defcon also holds a prominent place in the market, he is yet to race, more will be known about him tomorrow when he makes his debut in the Canonbury Stakes over 1100 metres at Randwick, in a field of nine runners, maybe bookmakers are getting a little wary when the Snowden team, of Peter and Paul, hit town they have a habit of pulling off the big ones, the colt remains well in the market.

As it turned out the Blue Diamond Previews didn’t throw as much light on the issue as expected, as two prominent horses in the betting are not nominated as yet, a late entry will cost their connections $55,000.

Nothing much was seen of the favourite, Weatherly, until the closing stages of the race, after knuckling over at the start, that put him right out of contention.

He may be a bit like the boy with the barrow, he has the job in front of him, he has to win the Prelude, or at least run second, to have earned sufficient prize money to make the final.

Darley has won the race three times and they have another serious contender this year engaged in Cohesion, there was nothing wrong with his win in the Preview, there is no point in knocking winning form.

The plan was to go forward with Cohesion from the wide gate; he had the pace to cross the field and did it comfortably.

There are excellent reports filtering through concerning the filly Calliope, she is sure to      contest the Prelude and could easily wind up as favourite for the Blue Diamond

Cohesion winning the Blue Diamond Preview for Colts and Geldings

Sword Of Light was pretty impressive in winning the fillies version of the Preview, she came off a fast pace and was drawing right away on the line, to suggest she will get further than the 1000 metres trip.

The only snag at this time is she is not nominated as yet, whether connections will pay up has not been announced; a late entry fee of $55,000 would be required.

She just had the one start previously winning at Echuca, there was some apprehension concerning the filly as she had to be withdrawn on New Year’s Day at Flemington, when she became fractious at the starting gate.

There were no signs of that behaviour at Caulfield, she jumped cleanly from the gate and was running along in sixth place, until it was time for her rider, Damian Lane, to get busy on her.

Emphatically was not disgraced, she held her position throughout the race, whether she can go on, that is the question.

Dream First could improve without surprising, she was running on well and could be an improver.

La Renarde, who started favourite, was given every chance by Damian Oliver, but did little in the straight.

The Preludes will be decided at Caulfield on 13^th of February, and the Blue Diamond Stakes two weeks later.

Sword Of Light impressive in her Preview