For the second time in four years, South Australian trainer Chris Bieg has a runner in Saturday’s $2m Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m).
Talented filly Dubenenko will jump from gate 11, and is a $91 outside chance in the two-year-old feature at Sandown.
“Realistically it’s an achievement in itself just to be in a field like this so no real expectations,” said Bieg.
“The filly will do what she can do, she’s already run third in Victoria in the Ballarat Magic Millions so she’s shown she’s up to that Victorian standard.
“She’s also had a start down the straight at Flemington before and didn’t disgrace herself so heading to Sandown anything can happen,” he said.
Experienced jockey Dean Yendall who rode the Russian Revolution filly in Ballarat in November, has been given the nod for the ride ahead of SA apprentice Teagan Voorham.
“Teagan was a consideration. But come these Group 1 races you probably need people with that real Group 1 experience,” said Bieg.
“This is a huge race for a two year old filly and the experience of someone like Dean Yendall is second to none really in these type of high pressure races. We’ve proved it once before when we had a runner in a Blue Diamond (Free of Debt) where Michael Walker replaced a less experienced jockey, and it’s just what you need to do to have the big time jockeys on for the Group 1 races,” he said.
After purchasing Dubenenko at the Adelaide Yearling Sales for $100,000, and Free of Debt for $30,000 Bieg is showing he knows how to get the best out of young horses.
There’s nine more about to join the stable.
“We’ve always brought one or two horses but this year and last year we’ve brought a lot more than normal. I’ve got some really good support and this year already we’ve been pretty active up on the Gold Coast and again in Tasmania, and we’re really looking forward to the Adelaide sale coming up.
“Up on the Gold Coast we were able to secure a couple of really, really nice Yes Yes Yes fillyies. I absolutely love them they stood out from the others and happy to secure them within a reasonable budget to get them back to South Australia.
“Then we went over to Tasmania where it’s a little bit more budget friendly and were able to pick up a few nice fillies and a really nice colt. We’re dealing with the heat at the moment so taking our time getting them back from Queensland and Tasmania, but they will all be here in the coming weeks and we’re really excited about them,” said Bieg.
