Big Sky stays unbeaten in Chairman’s Stakes stroll to join stablemate Guest House as Blue Diamond co-favourite

Big Sky was never seriously troubled from the moment jockey Ben Melham took him to the front early in the $200,000 race, striding to a comfortable three-length win.

The Bivouac colt joined his stablemate Guest House at the top of Blue Diamond Stakes betting at $4.50 after posting his second win from as many starts.

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Mick Price and co-trainer Michael Kent Jr find themselves in the same situation as the former faced in 2016.

Price had the first two favourites in that race with the favoured runner Extreme Choice getting the money over Flying Artie, who was unlucky not to beat his stablemate.

Price said Guest House would be a tough opponent for Big Sky in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes on February 21.

“Guest House is a really good horse,” Price said.

“My feel is that Guest House would be a better horse but race day tells all.

“I think Guest House has got a very good capacity about him.

“We’ve got to see it but I feel there’s a lot there.”

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Price said Big Sky showed a little more polish in his second race start after racing greenly in his debut win earlier this month.

The trainer, who has won the Blue Diamond Stakes twice, with Samaready and Extreme Choice in 2012 and 2016 respectively, said the fact Big Sky wanted to relax halfway down the straight was a good sign for his next outing over 1200m.

“He was quite green and I think a furlong out, he was clocking off and that’s probably a great sign,” Price said.

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“The greater pressure of a Blue Diamond, I’m assuming that won’t do him any harm.

“He doesn’t have to lead all the time but it’s just the way the two races have worked out.

“He’ll have a good three weeks and he’ll turn up in the Blue Diamond.”

Guest House comfortably won a Cranbourne jumpout last Monday while Price said the son of Home Affairs pleased him with his gallop on his home track on Saturday morning.

Price said Guest House would have another hitout on Tuesday morning before he tackled next Saturday’s Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude for colts and geldings at Caulfield.

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Originally published as Big Sky stays unbeaten in Chairman’s Stakes stroll to join stablemate Guest House as Blue Diamond co-favourite