On the Path to Blue Diamond Glory

The Group II and III MRC Blue Diamond Preludes were run at Caulfield on Saturday with Nicconi filly Concealer and Star Witness colt Star Turn finishing runner-up in the fillies and colts divisions.

The Tony McEvoy trained Concealer was a brilliant winner on debut back in the spring of the Group III VRC Emirates Airlines Plate.

Returning from a break in the 1100 metre scamper, she was allowed to settle back to last for Mark Zahra before charging home for second beaten a length by Samara Dancer.

“I just wanted to get her relaxed and hit the line,” said Zahra.

“She did that and she will be spot-on in two weeks.”

Star Turn looked a serious horse when scoring a dominant win in the $150,000 ATC Pierro Plate before Christmas and the Hawkes Racing trained youngster was having his first run back in the colts and geldings Prelude.

He looked set for victory under a sweet ride from Dwayne Dunn until run down late by Flying Artie to be beaten a short neck and will only be improved for the run, his first in the Melbourne way of going.

His sire Star Witness won the Blue Diamond in 2010 and the Widden Stud bred and sold Star Turn is poised to give the race a massive shake in two weeks time.