Extreme Choice has confirmed his status as a star of the future at Caulfield Racecourse this afternoon; producing an impressive start-to-finish performance to beat stable mate Flying Artie by two lengths in the featured Group 1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m).
Extreme Choice was too good in the 2016 Group 1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos
Extreme Choice was charged with overcoming something of an awkward draw this afternoon but did his chances of success no harm whatsoever when jumping well and settling in prime position on the heels of early leaders Hey Doc and Highland Beat.
Experiencing a good run in transit, the Not A Single Doubt colt comfortably found the lead with 300m to run; producing a monumental late turn of foot to extend and hit the line ahead of Flying Artie; Zamzam boxing on for a brave third.
Craig Newitt was thrilled to have picked up the ride on Extreme Choice after last-start hoop Damien Oliver elected to ride Flying Artie in the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes, and was pleased to win trainer Mick Price another Group 1 feature race.
âHeâs just a jet, you can do anything with him,â Newitt said.
âAll he wants to do is please you and heâs got a motor and a half.
âYou can ride him for speed or take a sit off him. I was caught four and five wide then but I knew I only had one corner to go around so just had keep him balanced.
âThis is my second with Mick and obviously itâs well documented Ollie had the pick and went the other way, and itâs a nice pick up.â
Price saddled Samaready to success in the 2012 edition of the Blue Diamond Stakes and revealed the 2016 Golden Slipper will now figure as the major target for this afternoonâs quinella.
âTheyâre two good colts,â Price said.
âI saw the second horse get speared off at the top of the straight and thought poor bugger, he just had no luck but all credit to Extreme Choice.
âToday was a day where he had an opportunity to really stand up. I think today we got a lot of information about the horse, and off to the Slipper.
âIâve got plenty of horse left in both of them, they havenât been bottomed out from today I wouldnât think and theyâve got three weeks.
âIâve probably got to pay a late entry for Flying Artie to get into the Slipper but I suppose apart from Capitalist, itâs a very, very even year this year.
âJust have to construct a plan to get them into Sydney.â
Extreme Choice has extended his perfect career starts to three wins from as many appearances in taking out this afternoonâs Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes.