Blue Diamond Stakes Barrier Draw & Final Field

Eight colts and eight fillies make up the final field of 16 for the 2023 Blue Diamond Stakes, with two emergencies included for the $2 million dollar juvenile feature.

James Cummings also prepares Chairman's Stakes winner Zulfiqar (barrier 15) and Exploring (barrier 13), with the latter having won the fillies edition of the Blue Diamond Prelude on February 11.

While she's still a maiden runner, Steel City (barrier 5) is a leading contender given her strong two-year-old form from Sydney, with the daughter of Merchant Navy recording runner-up finishes behind Golden Slipper fancies Learning To Fly and Red Resistance, who both won their next starts.

Veecee (barrier 14) is another acceptor trained by the powerful Ciaron Maher & David Eustace partnership, with this colt expected to relish the six furlongs after coming back to 1000m at start two following a brilliant debut victory.

Western Australian colt Brave Halo (barrier 16) warrants respect, with the son of Brave Smash unlucky in the Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) where he was a well backed favourite.

Impressive first-up winner Dubenenko (barrier 11) is the sole South Australian in the final field, while Queensland have representation via Party For Two (barrier 1), who was runner-up the Blue Diamond Prelude (F) in her Melbourne debut.

Ben & JD Hayes have multiple runners, with Arkansaw Kid (barrier 4) and Little Brose (barrier 7) accepting and the latter made good ground for second in the Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G).