For unassuming Canberra-based owner Eric Koundouris, Saturday’s Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield presents a welcome case of déjà vu.
Koundouris part-owns blueblood colt Nostradamus, currently $10 in Blue Diamond market for Team Hawkes, who is a half-brother to his 2010 Diamond winner Star Witness.
Successful over 1100m at Flemington on debut in January, Nostradamus reeled off some impressive closing sectionals from the rear of the field after jumping from the outside barrier to grab fourth in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield last start.
Subsequently found to have cast a plate and caused damage to his hoof during the Blue Diamond Prelude, Koundouris is hopeful the colt, drawn in barrier 11 for jockey Glen Boss, can feature in the finish of Saturday’s $1 million feature.
“It’s obviously a race I have fond memories of with Star Witness and this year’s race has four or five live chances so I hope we’re one of them,” Koundouris said.
“The horse hurt himself in the Prelude but I think he’s progressing in the right direction and I hope he’ll be ready to go on the day.
“I think both the 1200 metres and a slightly better draw than what he had in the Prelude are positives but it’s one of the strongest Blue Diamonds in many years and the extra 100 metres will suit a couple of the others as well.”
Given his success with Star Witness, also the winner of the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) as a three-year-old and runner-up in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot, Nostradamus immediately attracted Koundouris’ attention at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale last year.
Purchased for $500,000 after consultation with Hall of Fame trainer John Hawkes, Nostradamus is the latest galloper to carry the successful businessman’s iconic blue and white colours, with Koundouris’ racehorse ownership history dating back nearly half a century.
“I did identify him at the sales, primarily because he was Star Witnesses half-brother but I’ve got to say that until John Hakwes had a look at him and said that he ticked all the boxes, I hadn’t made up my mind to buy him,” Koundouris said.
“If John hadn’t given him the big tick I don’t think I would’ve bought him.
“I’ve owned quite a few horses over a long time, I’ve been at it for over forty years.
“I don’t know what first got me into racing quite frankly but I lived in Randwick as a youngster and we used to have a lot to do with racing people and somewhere along the way someone took me to the races.”
The son of Medaglia d’Oro lines up in one of the hottest Blue Diamond fields in history, with most of the pre-race hype surrounding unbeaten two-year-olds Rubick and Earthquake.
The pair were dominant winners of their respective Blue Diamond Preludes and occupy the top two positions in the market, the colt a defined $2.80 favourite after drawing barrier 10.
– Racing Victoria
