David Hayes eyes yet another Blue Diamond

Sunday 17 February 2013, 4:23pm

The chances of David Hayes adding to his record Blue Diamond haul have improved in his eyes after the Talindert Stakes.

Hayes watched at Flemington on Saturday as the Mark Kavanagh-trained Casquets took out the Listed race from Annenberg, Essie's Pride and Politeness.

All four finished behind Gregers, the market leader of Hayes' Blue Diamond contenders, earlier this month.

"It was a real Gregers pointer," Hayes said.

"She worked brilliantly on Saturday morning so I was thrilled with her then, and even happier with her in the afternoon when I saw the Talindert because I thought she beat all of those horses on their merits at Moonee Valley."

Gregers forms part of a three-pronged Blue Diamond assault for Hayes who holds the Blue Diamond training record with five wins.

Hayes said he would wait for the barrier draw before trying to determine a pecking order for his his three runners - Gregers, Fast `N' Rocking and I Am Titanium.

"I reckon mine will run a lot better than their odds," the Hall Of Fame trainer said.

"I guarantee they'll run really well. The boys remind me of Nadeem and Reaan at the same stage and Gregers has got a lot of the Sleek Chassis about her with that form line.

"And you've got to remember they all won at about 20/1."

Hayes won three Blue Diamonds in a row from 2006 with Nadeem, Sleek Chassis and Reaan all successful.

On each of those occasions, Dwayne Dunn was in the saddle and he has the ride on Gregers on Saturday.

Dunn began his Blue Diamond run of four-straight in 2005 on the Kavanagh-trained Undoubtedly.

Stable apprentice Chad Schofield rides I Am Titanium while Steven Arnold partners Fast `N' Rocking.

"Fast N Rocking has worked exceptionally well this week and I Am Titanium will run in blinkers in the Diamond and I think it will improve him out of sight," Hayes said.

Impressive Darley-owned filly Guelph is the Blue Diamond favourite at $2.80 just ahead of unbeaten Adelaide filly Miracles Of Life ($3) who hasn't started since her dominant Blue Diamond Preview win on Australia Day.

Metastasio ($6.50) and Thermal Current ($8.50) are the only other runners under double figure odds while Gregers is at $16, Fast `N' Rocking is at $35 and I Am Titanium is a $51 chance.

– AAP

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