MICK Price and Michael Kent Junior are looking to Big Sky to strengthen their already firm grip on the 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes when he runs in the Chairman’s Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
With the Blue Diamond Stakes being held on February 7, Price and Kent Junior have the top two in betting with Unibet, with Guest House as a $4 favourite and Big Sky at $6 second favourite.
Unibet has Big Sky as a $1.90 favourite to win the Chairman’s Stakes on Saturday.
Big Sky was an impressive debut winner at Flemington over 1000m on January 17 where he led throughout and despite over-racing at times, he bounded clear in the closing stages to win by two and three-quarter lengths.
Big Sky, by Bivouac, will be ridden by Ben Melham, who replaces Luke Currie, who rode him at Flemington.
Melham told Racing.com that Big Sky will be very hard to beat.
He said he had been riding him in his trials, but he was riding at the Gold Coast when Big Sky won at Flemington.
“It was no surprise to see him win in the fashion that he did. I worked him yesterday morning and he’s come through the run really well and I expect him to be very hard to beat again,” Melham said.
Melham said he wasn’t concerned by Big Sky’s awkward head placement, as he didn’t over-race when he was doing it.
“It’s a bit of a funny one because he races with his head in an awkward position, but he’s not necessarily going too hard in himself,” Melham explained.
“It’s just an immaturity thing with him a little bit, but the engine’s certainly there with him. I feel he’s made good progression out of his first run, he’ll be better again on Saturday and he’s well and truly up to a Diamond as well.”
Price suggested on SEN during the week that Guest House was the superior of the two colts.
Guest House has had one start for a win over 1000m at Cranbourne on December 27 and subsequently trialled impressively at Cranbourne last Monday.
He will run in the Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield on February 7.
