Saturday, 21 February 2009: Reward For Effort has caused a boil over by winning today's Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) and has turned the tables on heavily backed runner up and Prelude winner Real Saga.

Reward For Effort wins the Blue Diamond Stakes Reward For Effort wins the Blue Diamond Stakes Photo by Bronwen Healy Purchase this image

Reward For Effort was away quickly and moved up to a handy position behind the leader Corsaire who was ridden hard from a wide gate. The favourite Rostova was positioned behind Reward for Effort midfield.

Reward For Effort peeled out three wide around the turn as Rostova loomed with a trail behind the Dynamic Syndications colt.

The Exceed and Excel colt took the lead from Corsaire immediately upon straightening as Rostova struggled to get into stride behind him.

The Peter Moody-trained colt kicked away by two lengths in the final furlong and maintained that margin from a fast finishing Real Saga to win the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes.

Dwayne Dunn was unable to make it five consecutive Blue Diamond wins with his mount Maka Ena finishing third.

Rostova was disappointing in the straight and finished fifth. The filly was three wide on straightening but managed to end up on the rail as she hung in badly for jockey Steven King.

Today's Blue Diamond gives trainer Peter Moody his first success in the race. His previous two entrants from the stable were each runners up.

Luke Nolen celebrates Diamond win Luke Nolen celebrates Diamond win Photo by Bronwen Healy Purchase this image

Brief Embrace finished second behind Bel Esprit in 2002 while Seidnazar was run down in the closing stages by Undoubtedly in 2005.

Moody earlier in the week stated Reward For Effort had the edge over his previous two entrants and was proved to be correct with the colts convincing win this afternoon.

“It's a bit mind blowing,” Moody said.

“Realistically we went into it open minded, we thought Real Saga was too good for us but Luke took up the initiative and put the pressure on to make them need luck.”

“We said before the race he was here at 110% and if you're in the race in that sort of form, you're going to run well.”

It follows the colts and geldings Blue Diamond Prelude a fortnight ago in which Reward For Effort was a three-length runner up to today's second placegetter Real Saga.

Reward For Effort was ridden today in a similar fashion to the Prelude by jockey Luke Nolen who has teamed up with Peter Moody for three wins in the past 24 hours following last night's meeting at Moonee Valley.

“We had an uninterrupted passage throughout the run and he gave a good kick and he knows where the post is here,” Nolen said.

The inform jockey has ridden the two-year-old in each of his three starts which also included a win in the Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) at Caulfield a month ago.

He also rides the colt in work who added to the hoops confidence of Blue Diamond success earlier in the week.

“On Tuesday morning he was working with one pair and ended up catching another pair getting to the post. The work was phenomenal on Tuesday morning so we were confident.”

Reward For Effort is by Exceed and Excel out of Rory's Jester mare Miss Prospect.

Miss Prospect is also the dam of Group 1 placed and multiple Listed winner Consular.

A number of Consular's owners have a share in Reward For Effort who is syndicated by Dynamic Syndications.

“Dean Watt and his team have been a successful part of my stable the last couple of years and have brought some new clients in with this horse,” Moody said.

Part owner of Consular, Bill Mumford, gave Moody and Watt the tip-off regarding his consistent gallopers half brother.

“Bill Mumford contacted me first to inspect the colt knowing he was a half brother to Consular and I liked the horse and on second reflection Bill didn't, so I had to talk him into taking a share. Thankfully he did so I'm sure he's pretty happy as am I for his call.”

Reward For Effort's win in today's $1million Arrowfield Stud Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) means his career earnings from three starts skyrocket to just under $700,000.