Godolphin’s blue gems sparkling for Diamond
GODOLPHIN cannot split its trio of Group 1 Blue Diamond contenders ahead of the pulsating clash with Ciaron Maher and David Eustacetrained favourite Enthaar.
The Blue Army’s Anamoe and Arcaded will be joined at Caulfield on Saturday in the $1.5m feature by Ingratiating
after the smart colt stamped his credentials on the weekend with a win at Flemington.
While mindful of the speed and brilliance of Enthaar, Godolphin senior foreman Sean Keogh said all three could be fighting out the finish.
“I wouldn’t be betting against her,” Keogh said.
“She’s got a lot of natural talent, a lot of natural speed.
“The stable have a very high opinion of her but our horses are up to some good races.
“We’re happy with our team … each of them brings something different to the race. At the moment I don’t (think) you can discount any one of them.”
Two of the three, and Arcaded,
Ingratiating go
into Melbourne’s premier two year-old feature off last-start wins, while Anamoe was “touched off” by General Beau in the Blue Diamond Prelude – colts and geldings.
Anamoe is the outright $8 second favourite with Ladbrokes for the Blue Diamond.
“Cracking run last time off one trial,” Keogh said.
“He’s going to take great
benefit from the run around Caulfield again.
“He’s stepping up in trip and his work has been very good since.”
Unbeaten filly Arcaded, rated a $15 chance in Ladbrokes’ all-in market, has gapped rivals in both starts, while Ingratiating, rated a $12 shot, looms as a possible Blue Diamond shortener.
A STUNNING late collapse has dashed Southport Labrador’s hopes of handing Palm Beach Currumbin its first defeat of the season.
Chasing 137 with eight wickets in hand, Southport had a golden opportunity to make a Kookaburra Cup statement but the loss of six wickets for 19 runs saw the side bowled out for 99.
An incredible tag-team spin effort from Ben Davis (3-3 off five overs) and Ryan Kettle (3-16 off five overs) snuffed out the fight in Southport, which at one stage had whittled down the target to 56 runs with six wickets in hand.
Bailey Johnstone topscored for the chasing Tigers with 24 and his 26-run partnership with Simon Belston (19) hinted that the upset was within reach.
PBC player-coach and competition leading wickettaker Kettle waited 25 overs for his chance to get involved but struck immediately, dismissing Jai Weise (5) and Lachie Gumm (0) in the first over of his spell to swing back momentum to his side.
That was the beginning of the end for Southport as Davis rose to the fore, taking three of the final four wickets, including Johnstone’s, to secure the Lions’ 14th straight Kookaburra Cup win.
Davis, 22, said his side felt no pressure despite Southport drawing within striking distance of the upset.
“We knew we were good enough,” the off-spinner said.
“We just had to do our jobs. The quicks toiled hard in the morning and Kettle got the breakthrough we needed.
“We had to go back to our plans and have faith they would pay off.
“We worked well together and cleaned them up at the end.”
Davis, who rejoined the team this season after a stint with the Gold Coast Dolphins, said there was no secret to Palm Beach’s resurgence from 2020 cellar-dweller to outright favourite 12 months later.
“It’s how hard the boys are training,” he said.
“On game day we’re all pretty switched on.
“We’ve got a good balance, everyone is doing their part.
“If someone fails there are 10 other blokes who’ll chip in.
“Unlike some other teams out there we never have just one standout, everyone chips in.”
Palm Beach Currumbin is on the brink of history with finals around the corner.
Since MyCricket records began in 2008-09 no team has recorded an undefeated regular season.
With two games remaining only Mudgeeraba Nerang and Queens stand in the way.
The second-placed Bushmen will need no further motivation with finals seeding at stake.
Queens will throw everything at PBC because the club’s district record of 15 wins and one loss in 2016-17 is under threat of being overwritten.