Closer To Free forces his way into Blue Diamond calculations
Danny O’Brien’s rapidly emerging colt Closer To Free (Street Boss) surged into Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) contention following his commanding all-the-way debut victory in Saturday’s Prelude (Gr 3, 1100m) (C&G) at Caulfield.
The son of Street Boss (Street Cry) justified a recent Blue Diamond market move, leading throughout under Michael Dee to score a decisive length victory over the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Guest House (Home Affairs).
The win saw Closer To Free firm into $6 (from $23) for the Blue Diamond on February 21, having been available at $201 before the wave of support. He now sits on the second line of betting behind Chairman’s Stakes (Gr 3, 1000m) winner Big Sky (Bivouac) ($4.20).
Purchased by O’Brien little more than a week ago following a standout trial at Caulfield Heath, Closer To Free was formerly prepared by respected breaker Adrian Corboy, and the colt’s trial performance was enough to prompt an immediate offer.
“Before the horse left the mounting yard after the trial, I walked back with him and saw how easily he’d taken it,” O’Brien said. “As Adrian was hosing the horse down, I bought him.
“He’s a beautiful colt and he’s got a proper pedigree. With Street Boss, his first three dams were all two-year-old stakes winners, so there is plenty to like about him.
“I thought he maybe looks a bit burly and might need the run, which is good for two weeks’ time. He has an amazing nature. He’s a very relaxed, sensible colt and always travels comfortably. I think he’s well above average.”
The Prelude victory came after Closer To Free had already advertised his talent by edging out Eternal Warrior (Extreme Warrior) in an 800-metre trial late last month, a clash the pair reprised in Saturday’s feature, with the son of Extreme Warrior (Extreme Choice) finishing 1.2 lengths off the winner in third.
Dee, who won last year’s Blue Diamond aboard Devil Night (Extreme Choice), said Closer To Free had made an immediate impression.
“I saw him live when he trialled at the Heath track and I thought ‘oh, what was that thing,’ the winning rider said.
“He flies the gates, puts himself there and has a good turn-of-foot. I was very impressed with how well we were able to jump and I thought there would be more pressure in the first furlong.
“He actually gave me a similar feel to what Devil Night did last year. Very similar horse. Same colour, very stocky and built similar. Devil Night raced second [in the Prelude] and we were able to win here today.”
A $60,000 purchase for Polaris Bloodstock out of the Milburn Creek draft at last year’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Closer To Free is first foal to race out of the Listed-winning juvenile Lady Naturaliste (Choisir), herself a half-sister to Debutant Stakes (Listed, 1000m) winner Tanker (Pride Of Dubai) out of Tale Of The Cat (Storm Cat) mare Calcatta, also a Listed winner at two.
In winning on Saturday, the colt became the 88th individual stakes winner for Darley’s Street Boss, who enjoyed a stakes double on the day competed by his daughter Tempted in Randwick’s Eskimo Prince Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m). He stood the 2025 season at Northwood Park at an unchanged fee of $66,000 (inc GST).