Horse racing / Jake Norton / 19 February 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now

It may not seem particularly insightful tipping shorties in races - and indeed, it may be a little boring - but it is increasingly becoming a struggle to see how any of the other two-year-olds competing will beat gun filly Rostova in Saturday's Blue Diamond Stakes.

There's little doubt that Sydney visitor Real Saga is a high quality colt, and the argument that the boys ran the better time in the Preludes is potentially a valid one. But the ease with which Rostova came off the slower pace in the fillies' edition and won without going close to being extended was particularly impressive. 

Having previously defeated all of their competitors with ease and by significant margins, the Testa Rossa filly and the Tale of the Cat colt are clearly the two standouts, but Real Saga's presence may only inject value into Rostova's price.  She reminds of Alinghi at the same stage of their respective careers, and for that reason she should win well.

Nevertheless, as the clear standouts, it would come as some surprise for the duo to be toppled. Having chased Real Saga home - and spaced the remainder of the field - in the Colts' & Geldings' Prelude, Reward For Effort deserves respect and should be included in any exotics placed on the Betfair Tote. The same can be said for fillies Corsaire, owned in the same interests as Makybe Diva, and Darley entrant Come Hither. The latter has been spoken of in glowing terms by her trainer Lee Freedman this week, so an improved effort by her will come as no surprise.

View the full field below, and check out Betfair's Blue Diamond market here.