Daumier claims the Blue Diamond Preview at Caulfield

Two-year-old colt Daumier showed his class and stamped himself as a serious Blue Diamond Stakes contender for Godolphin next month with a tenacious win in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview for two-year-old colts and geldings over 1,000m at Caulfield in Melbourne.

Daumier jumped brilliantly on debut for jockey Damian Lane and travelled kindly behind the favourite and stablemate Philosopher to the home turn.

The leader kicked strongly in the straight and runner-up Rampant Lion headed Daumier before the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained youngster fought back to win, drawing away in a slick 57.75 seconds.

Sam Freedman indicated Daumier would next contest the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1,100m) before tackling the G1 Blue Diamond (1,200m), also at Caulfield.

“He showed good fightback in that last 200m, it was a small field and he’s going to progress into a bigger field in the Prelude,” Freedman said. “You would think the first three (horses) across the line would go on.”

Lane said Daumier was headed in the right direction with the major juvenile races in Melbourne now looming large.  “He’s a lovely colt who has taken it all in his stride this preparation,” the jockey said.

“He was a little bit field-shy at his first jump-out then he improved to his second. And he’s improved again today.

“He’s just one of those horses who’s doing the things right at the right time and who should progress.”