Betsy’s Will Elford has gone through all the Blue Diamond runners, picking a few to watch [and a few to avoid].
(Note: Prices are correct as at 12.30pm, 29/01/25)
Guest House deservedly sits atop the Blue Diamond standings at this stage after an impressive debut at Cranbourne. He rated well without setting the clock alight and did it without a clue.
He raced ungenerously in transit, ambled up alongside the leaders, then put them away with contempt once pressure was applied. As an October foal, natural improvement is a given, and he’s reportedly grown enormously since, according to a friend of mine who’s involved in the ownership.
His most recent Cranbourne trial suggested he’s improved once more. If that’s the case, he’s a thoroughly deserving Diamond favourite.
Guest House justifies the short quote on debut with a soft win!
Jamie Melham with an early double and the Price/Kent yard with a smart one 👌@jamieleemelham @MickPriceRacing pic.twitter.com/Yrw1rmckB5
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) December 27, 2025
Jacaranda is another by Home Affairs, this time a filly, and she looks to be flying under the radar. She debuted in the Coolmore blue at Seymour, and while she did have first use of the track, even adjusting for that using standardised times, she still ran faster than Akacita, a handy horse on his day.
She powered away from two other juveniles to win by just under six lengths. A half-sister to the 2021 Blue Diamond winner Artorius, she’s a filly I’ll be looking to back heavily in the Prelude, anticipating that punters undersell the form of what was only a three-horse race at Seymour.
Small field but might impressive debut winner for 1st season Home Affairs
Jacaranda (2f Home Affairs x Gracie’s Lass) for @lindsayparkrace
300k buy for @TomMagnier from @VineryStud at @inglis_sales EasterHalf-sister to Artorius and Sixties@CoolmoreAus pic.twitter.com/yrSgfwwR4F
— Breednet (@BreednetNews) January 15, 2026
The Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner, Unit Five, has made a strong early impression across two starts. He finished off well on the Gold Coast, though the race itself only rated fairly. He’s professional and, at this stage, has produced the highest level of performance we’ve seen from any of the nominated runners, which places him near the top of the Blue Diamond rankings. That said, it was a low-rated edition of the Classic, and he’ll need to improve once more to win a typical Blue Diamond.
The Blue Diamond Preludes on February 7 loom as a key reference point. The winner there should surpass Unit Five on ratings, posing the question of whether Unit Five can find enough improvement to reclaim top billing on Blue Diamond Day.
Unit Five is the @tabcomau @mmsnippets 2YO Classic champion for 2026, providing thrills for Thomas Stockdale and @cmaherracing! 🙌@GCTurfClub pic.twitter.com/VI5HJ4lhRP
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 17, 2026
Visually, Big Sky sits atop the Blue Diamond rankings, but from a performance-rating perspective, his debut doesn’t stack up. He steps out again on Saturday in the Chairman’s Stakes, but as it stands, his current market position overstates what he’s shown on the racetrack.
He remains raw and races greenly, so natural improvement is expected, but if he doesn’t drastically improve and holds a similar spot in the market on Blue Diamond Day, he’s one I’d be excited to oppose.
Outspan rose to the occasion at his second start at Rosehill, running reasonably strong time. By Bivouac and from the family of Lonhro, he looks the part physically. He was on tired legs at the end of a strongly run five and half furlongs last start, but the sense is there’s more to come with him. Godolphin usually like to have one or two live chances in the Blue Diamond, and beyond High Alert, they’re thin on numbers.
What does the future hold for OUTSPAN?
The @godolphin colt joins recent winners of this 2yo race from Rosehill including Wodeton, Remarque and Fully Lit. Sam Clipperton had an armchair ride on the @MFreedmanRacing youngster beating Long Throw and Miss Chanel. @tabcomau pic.twitter.com/sq0vbHGJog
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) January 17, 2026
High Alert, the other Godolphin runner currently in the market, looks significantly overrated. While he was desperately held up in the Colts and Geldings Preview at Caulfield, the race itself rated poorly, and the eventual Blue Diamond winner is highly unlikely to emerge from that form line.
Tough Romance makes his debut tonight at Pakenham and has been heavily backed since markets opened, justifiably so, given his impressive work in a recent trial. While the Blue Diamond may come too soon, I guarantee you he’ll be favourite in the VRC Sires’ Produce at Flemington later in the autumn.
(Note: Prices are correct as at 12.30pm, 29/01/25)
