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just had the one start previously winning at Echuca, there was some apprehension concerning the filly as she had to be withdrawn on New Year’s Day at Flemington, when she became fractious at the starting gate.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

Tuff Host broke through for his first city win, and it surely won’t be his last, he turned in an impressive performance in winning the William Hill Handicap at Moonee Valley.

The six year old gelding was having just his 15^th start, due to a throat problem that restricted much of his early racing.

Bred by Tony and Julie Biddle, who generally race the horses they breed with the word coronation included in the name, this time it was the exception.

After the mare Coronationprincess kicked the foal she was rearing, when the next foal came along they thought he might have a tough time with his mum, hence the name Tough Host.

Tuff Host winning at the Valley

However, when the name came back from the Stud Book it was registered as Tuff Host in error.

While the gelding is in sparkling form and showing no signs of complaining about the name mix up, why should anyone else.

It was really a very good win, after drawing a wide berth Daniel Stackhouse rode him vigorously to get a position before the first turn.

The issue was soon put to bed; at the top of the straight he was strong to the line.

Tuff Host is prepared by former leading jumps jockey Brett Scott, he is on a winning streak at present with a team 11of horses, they all receive individual attention, aided by his wife, formerly Kylie Stanton, a prominent rider at the Picnic fixtures, her father Jack formerly trained at Caulfield, he has since moved to Brisbane

Tuff Host and his admirers

Colin Little has had his worries with Miss Softhands, it’s not that she doesn’t have the ability, her feet have been the problem, that has restricted her racing.

By the time she turned six she had had just the 10 starts for two wins, that’s when the expert farriers were called in; her feet have been an expensive exercise, that is now proving to be profitable at last.

She has since had a sequence of three wins, the latest at Flemington where she started favourite, to the delight of those that supported her.

Damian Oliver, the master, you cannot take that away from him, he had the mare perched back along the fence giving her an easier run as possible.

Saturday’s win was over 1400 metres, her trainer would be hoping she would get 1600, but will be advised by Oliver before a decision is made.

She trailed Whistle Baby for much of the trip, and to that mare’s credit, she fought it out tooth and nail to the finish.

Miss Softhands is by Bel Esprit, who has been transferred to Eliza Park International at Innisplain in Queensland, at that time he was the highest progeny earning sire in Victoria.

He failed to pass the test with the prominent breeders and trainers, purchased as a yearling for $9,000, with progeny earnings exceeding $40 million, and a mare that was unbeaten in 25 races.

Miss Softhands back in form

Tudor, ridden a masterly race by Darren Gauci, gave his rivals something to chase, leading all the way, from barrier to box, to win the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes.

Gauci, a renowned judge of pace, rated the chestnut son of Strategic to perfection; the issue was a foregone conclusion a long way out.

Tudor has been missing from the winner’s circle for quite a while, prior to his recent win he had raced 22 times for just two wins, yet his stake earnings were touching almost $300,000, made up mainly with placings.

He ran a pretty fair race on New Year’s Day at Flemington, suggesting he was beginning to run into form and Gauci was back on him.

The favourite, Tried And Tired, was running second most of the way, and whilst game in defeat he never ever looked like over hauling the winner.

Zupacharged was well supported on the strength of his good run in the Standish Handicap, he appeared to run his race in patches, and was a little disappointing, more was expected of him.

Sydneysider, Dances On Stars, out of the Gerald Ryan yard at Rosehill, with the services of Damian Oliver on board, ran just an ordinary race, never a chance at any stage.

Tried And Tired with Darren Gauci up

Hellbent laid the gauntlet down, doing it with ease in winning the Inglis Dash over 1100 metres, without turning a hair.

He had a bit on those he met at Flemington having won twice mid week at Rosehill, and placed twice at Randwick, he opened up favourite and remained there throughout betting. It was a restricted race; he ran the trip in 1.03.62.

He is now back in Goulburn where the colt is trained by former farrier, Kurt Goldman, where plans will be laid down for another restricted race in May, worth $400,000.

Gold Symphony was best backed to beat him after winning twice at Caulfield, but was no match for the Goulburn trained colt.

The Big Dance made headlines when she won at Bendigo, back in March, for her huge ownership, given her two starts immediately after that were fair, her third run back was a fizzer, after leading she wilted on the vine.

She is going to be a hard horse to place for Danny Curran, a win at Bendigo is a long way from Flemington, and there is not many 1000 metre races about that would suit her.

Hellbent proves too classy in Inglis Dash