Adelaide two-year-old Free Of Debt could be a late entry for the $1.5 million Blue Diamond Stakes after a convincing win at Flemington to remain unbeaten from two starts.
The Chris Bieg-trained colt won in Adelaide on debut last month and came to Melbourne for Saturday's VRC Member Duane Rogers Plate (1200m) and did not disappoint his connections.
Giving jockey Jake Toeroek his first Melbourne city winner, Free Of Debt ($8) dominated the straight-track race from the front and despite being wayward late in the race he still had one length to spare over $1.70 favourite Viking Warrior.
Maozi ($7) was another head away third.
“That's a big, big buzz,” Bieg said.
“I've won a race here once before but to win here with a two-year-old in just his second start, and to win the way he did, that's very exciting.”
Bieg indicated connections of the colt, who was bought for $30,000 as a yearling, would now seriously consider paying a $55,000 late entry for the Group One Blue Diamond on February 23.
The late entry is due by the Monday before the race.
“I think so,” Bieg said.
“I did say to the owners that we would definitely have to consider it if he ran a good race today.
“I think the horse he beat (Viking Warrior) is a very promising horse and if he was $26 in the Blue Diamond market, why can't we be?
“So we'll have a crack.”
The Blue Diamond Prelude for colts and geldings could also be a consideration for Free Of Debt's next start on February 9 which two weeks before the Blue Diamond.
“He'll remain in Melbourne and go and spend some time at the water walker and we'll take the next week to assess where we go next,” the trainer said.
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