Draw to help I Did It Again relax in Blue Sapphire

Brad Waters - Tuesday October 17

Greg Eurell says a different draw should produce a more favourable scenario for I Did It Again in Wednesday's Group III Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.

Advertisement
I Did It Again (red & white stripes) duels with Bandipur (royal blue) at Caulfield last month. Photo: Darryl Sherer

I Did It Again showed great promise in his debut win at Caulfield in July before little went right for the son of Nicconi when he was narrowly beaten first-up at Caulfield on September 23.

I Did It Again was left without cover from the outside gate while jockey Nikita Beriman dropped her whip in the straight before the three-year-old went down to Bandipur at his last start.

The gelding jumped form barrier nine in a 10-horse field last time out but he will jump from barrier three in Wednesday's $350,000 contest, a gate Eurell said should help I Did It Again settle better than he did first-up.

"If he doesn't draw a gate, he was always going to find it inviting to grab the bridle and roll forward and that's what he did last start and it just made it difficult," Eurell said.

"I'm really happy with the barrier draw and it sort of gives us some opportunity for something to roll forward and he take a sit behind them and see what he can do from there.

"Tomorrow, if he can get that little smother, I'd say that would be ideal.

"He's still pretty keen at the moment. He's not silly by any means but he's just one of those horses that wants to run and he's competitive so he heads into it pretty fresh tomorrow."

Eurell said I Did It Again handled his first-up run well but the Cranbourne trainer and the sprinter's new jockey Damien Oliver agree the 2017 edition of the Blue Sapphire Stakes features a strong field.

"He's a really promising horse, he probably didn't have everything go his way the other day," Oliver said.

"He's shown he is worthy of a crack at a race like that, although it seems to have come up a pretty strong edition this year.''

Sportsbet has I Did It Again as a $5.50 chance in Blue Sapphire betting behind the well-backed Jukebox, who has been supported from $4.80 to join Formality as a $4 equal favourite.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Yulong Invest in Another Star Kiwi Filly
Yulong Investments have furthered their position among New Zealand’s racing ranks this week with the purchase of eye-catching Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) winner Ohope Wins.
Justify Double At Canterbury – Relations to both sell at Inglis Easter
Favourite backers were cheering on Friday night at Canterbury when odds on chances Willingham and Just Maz took out races three and four with the promising pair of winners both 3yos by Coolmore’s Justify (USA).
I Am Invincible Half-Sister To G1 Winner Manaal Breaks Maiden
Fourth on debut back in August, Michael Freedman’s 3yo I Am Invincible filly Rajwa was required to fight late, but the half-sister to G1 winner Manaal (Tassort) had too much in hand, breaking her maiden at Canterbury on Friday night for breeder/owner Emirates Park.
Hello Youmzain 2YO Set to Star for Sharrock
Saturday is shaping to be a busy day for Allan Sharrock, with stakes assignments both at home and away for the New Plymouth trainer.
Lindsay Park Flying Ahead of Kiwi Target Races
First-time travellers Arkansaw Kid and Torture will fly the Lindsay Park flag at Ellerslie with a third member of the party to be on hand for the defence of a stable title early next month.
Kinnaird Looking to Extend Te Akau Dominance
The Karaka Millions twilight meeting is always a key focus for Te Akau Racing, and they are set to have another strong hand in this year’s edition.
Hedged Wins G2 Australia Stakes – Track Record
A stakes-winner at Sandown on Boxing Day and then down the track at his next start when unplaced, connections elected to ‘roll the dice’ on talented Capitalist sprinter Hedged and give him his shot in the $350,000 Group II MVRC Australia Stakes (1200m) and were well rewarded.
Bidding Open - Magic Millions Digital's Latest Line-Up Now Online
Buyers looking for a ready made racehorse and a star of the future will enjoy the opportunities on offer in the latest Magic Millions Digital (23-28 January) Sale which is now online with bidding open.
Vendors Count Down to Historic NZ National Yearling Sale
Some of the most respected names in the New Zealand thoroughbred industry will be out in force at Karaka over the next few days during the milestone 100th edition of the National Yearling Sale.
First Stakes Success For Spirit Of Boom Mare Liquor
The outsider of four runners in Friday night’s Listed GCTC Goldmarket (1100m) for Queensland’s Champion trainer Tony Gollan, 6yo Spirit Of Boom mare Liquor gave nothing else a chance, charging clear after leading throughout to record her first black type victory.