3 minute read

Honest mare Ruby Diamonds will give her backers a big sight in today's Monacellars Handicap (race 7) at Moe.

The lightly raced mare is a winner of only two races but has a further four placings form her 11 career runs and once over a bit of ground has found her best rhythm by bowling along close to the speed.

Prepared at Mornington by Jason Warren, Ruby Diamonds has been in top form recently and will take catching in today's small field over 1623m.

The mare resumed late last year over 1200m at hone and was beaten for speed, settling well back and finishing eighth when only warming up late.

But stepping up to 1500m second up she was forced to settle back from a wide gate but really found the line strongly, finishing runner up when beaten only three quarters of a length.

It was no surprise next start, over a mile, that she broke through but she had few favours in the run and scored an impressive win.

Drawing the outside gate she wasn't the best away and settled at the back.

Turning second last, she circled the field and kept coming, lifting strongly over the final stages for a head win.

Next start was up to 2000m at Donald in a small field in RB68 class.

From the inside she immediately settled in the lead a she shared the pace with another annying on her outside.

Although challenged strongly on the turn, she lifted well and finished runner up, finishing 1.5 lengths from the winner.

Last start, back to a mile here in RB68 class again, she drew the outside so was bustled along early from out deep to take up the running.

Turning in front and kicking strongly, she again had to fight off the challengers and this time lifted to a head win.

That was a career best rating and although this is a tougher grade, rising to an RB72, she looks the one to beat again.

She meets the same track and distance here but will carry 2kg less.

She has drawn out but this time you'd expect she'll come across and sit outside likely leader Green Pearl.

Ruby Diamonds rarely runs a bad race and with her light weight and with little pressure up front she'll be tough to beat in the straight again.

The Kelvin Southey trained Blaze Adrift is fitter for three runs from a spell and should be motoring home late.

The gelding hasn't won for some time but drops in grade for today's assignment and should be ready to show his best.

Resuming in town over 1500m at Sandown Lakeside, the gelding settled midfield and after turning there worked home strongly for a two length fourth.

He then went to a mile for the Camperdown Cup and this time raced on the speed, settling second and boxing on well for a 3.7 length fourth.

Last start, over a mile at Mornington in an RB78, he settled well back on the inside then was just outdashed in the run home, finishing a five length sixth behind Tenno.

He has a big weight today but is down in class and fitter again.

He has won his only start at the track and distance and from gate three should enjoy a good run throughout.

He'll be hard to hold out.

Loukoumi is making his debut for a new stable and comes back to a mile after a let up.

Formerly trained in South Australia, the city winner has been racing on the speed and not finishing it off over further but did win in town three back over 1800m.

He won't have any problem with the class and the trip suits fresh.

Green Pearl ran well when fresh over a mile and should give a sight at odds again today.