Lucky Liberty faces up to his toughest test tomorrow among the better performed three year olds in the C S Hayes Stake over 1400 metres.

Nothing has changed, he hasn’t drawn a decent gate in each of his only three wins, and that hasn’t hampered him unduly in the past, and not been a problem.

He may have to cover a bit of extra ground but whether that is a disadvantage is debatable, he should receive an untroubled free run.

The gelding has been freshened up since his last win, a few days on the water walker has worked well, on Thursday morning he worked in great style at Caulfield and has pleased his trainer, Henry Dwyer, since he will strip a fit horse.

This will be a dress rehearsal for the Australian Guineas; he is an exciting three year old with untapped potential.

Lucky Liberty has pleased his trainer Henry Dwyer

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

Queensland thoroughbred breeders are firmly consolidated as major players, with four of the top 10 sires on the two year old prize money list, with Sequalo just outside of the top ten.

Leading the way is Jet Spur; he has a wide selection of yearlings to represent him at the forthcoming Magic Millions Yearling Sale on March 16-17.

A winner at Doomben last week, per medium of Black Jet, and at the Gold Coast, Seashells had no difficulty in winning over 1400 metres.

He has a draft of 12 lots in the sale, whilst his stud mate, Real Saga, is not short on numbers either with some nice horses in his draft of 26 lots, and last but not least, Rothesay by Fastnet Rock, has a draft of 41 lots .

Court Command by Commands, who was among the better three years olds of his season in  Sydney winning the Stan Fox Stakes, is also an inclusion among the top 10 sires on the two year old list, he has a nice draft.

Lyndhurst Stud, on the rich Darling Downs at Warwick, is well established and recognised for a century or more have announced the stud has acquired the former Sydney sprinter, Better Than Ready, as a sire for the coming season.

The name Better Than Ready has only been used twice, a filly in America, and a colt in Australia, they were born five years apart and ironically both are by More Than Ready.

Better Than Ready, a winner eight times out of 16 starts, has a good winning percentage of 50 per cent, he has won almost a half million in stakes from 1000 to 1200 metres.

“His arrival could not have come at a better time given the stud lost their long serving stalwart, Sequalo, last year,”said Jeff Kruger.

Jet Spur leading the way

POPULAR Newcastle trainer, Paul Perry, has seldom been short of a good horse, he buys yearling colts, strictly on pedigree, with the long range view they may ultimately he sought after by leading studs as potential sires.

The success rate has been overwhelming with previously Perry trained horses Choisir, Fastnet Rock and Stratum, all now at stud, with their combined progeny earnings totalling $167 million to date, and there is still a lot more to come.

HONG KONG is off according to Nick Hall, he will remain in Melbourne for the time being, at least until a better offer comes along, he did nothing wrong in winning on Sabatini at Caulfield.

RUMOUR MONGERS FOILED as some bright sparks declared Shaun Dwyer was moving back to Brisbane, however, he is remaining in Bendigo, at least for the present.

When his son finally returns from a trip abroad there may be the opportunity to open a satellite stable with about six boxes at Eagle Farm.

Dwyer is critical concerning stake money for non metro racing with the average prize money of $17,000, the owner clears $9,000, with the trainers and jockeys still to be deducted, after the chooks are fed there is not much left swinging.

WITH THE INGLIS YEARLING SALES, to be held in March, intending buyers maybe sceptical of first season sires as so few have performed out of last year’s catalogue at this stage.

Beneteau was clearly the stand out from last year, he has had five winners from 16 starters with prize money of $557,230, the only other two sires with winners from their first crop are Starspangledbanner and Reward for Effort, Cranbourne trainer, Chris Parry, purchased the only Beneteau yearling in the catalogue at the Magic Millions Sales in Tasmania last week.

THE REOPING OF CAULFIELD was a huge success, the track raced well, a credit to the Melbourne Racing Club’s track manager, Jason Kerr, he has a busy schedule keeping not only Caulfield, but also Sandown Park and Mornington as well.

LANKAN RUPEE galloped between races 4 and 5 and looked a picture, he is ready to take on those that oppose him in Saturday’s Lightning Stakes at Flemington, he was ridden by Dale Smith who will be replaced by Craig Newitt over the 1000 metres trip at headquarters.

Wez Hunter and his mate, Smokin Joey, were richly rewarded when the duo combined to win the Group 3 Herald Sun Carlyon Cup at Caulfield on Saturday.

The seven year old Encosta de Lago gelding was cherry ripe for Saturday’s assignment, he had worked well, although he was racing second up since the Spring, that can be a concern but didn’t bother Wes.

It is now full steam ahead to the 1400 metres of the time honoured Group 1Futurity Stakes in two weeks, and Smokey is in form, he will be there giving it a real shake

Smokin Joey on the extreme outside gets the verdict.

Wez can go into the race with his horse confident he has peaked at the right time, there is nothing like winning form

The gelding has never raced better; there was plenty of zest in his step when the field rounded the home turn for the run in.

As the race was run he was forced to come from behind the favourite Jacquinot Bay, who was attempting to record his fourth win in a row.

He races out of the paddock which obviously suits him, he is as tough as teak, he enjoys a trip to the beach in the care of Meredith Tuckett, she rides the gelding each day.

Chris Parnham, whose father Neville is the leading trainer in Perth, made the best of his only ride at Caulfield, it was a top ride from one who deserves more rides than he is receiving.

Trainer - Wez Hunter