815 First Acceptances were taken last week reported the Melbourne Racing Club on Tuesday for the 2021 $1.5m, Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 20th..

Ciaron Maher and David Eustace lead the way with 63 First Acceptances, the duo already boasting five two-year-old winners this season. They hold a strong early hand in both number and quality with filly Enthaar, Debutant stakes winner Fake Love and Inglis Banner/Golden Gift starlet Sneaky Five all entered.

Godolphin have accepted with 54 of their own including Merson Cooper Stakes winner Anamoe.  Sydney trainers Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott (53) and Chris Waller (50) are also heavily represented while Tom Dabernig and Ben Hayes’ Maribyrnong Plate victor Finance Tycoon and Grahame Begg’s impressive Ottawa Stakes winner Dosh are other early season two-year-old winners entered.

Acceptances also provide another reminder of the growing influence of super sire I Am Invincible, with no less than 50 of his sons and daughters entered. Snitzel (46), Capitalist (42), Written Tycoon (37) and Not A Single Doubt (35) all also proved popular.

Phillip Stokes paid up two $5,500 First Late Entry fees; one for a chestnut Snitzel colt out of the mare Beluga Blue and the other for his colt Brazen Boy, who we may see debut as soon as this Saturday. Owner Shane Loughlan also lodged a First Late Entry for his filly Icy Isea (Frosted X Sea Gem), who will be prepared by Cranbourne horsewoman Jackie Horner. 

Second Acceptances for the 2021 Neds Blue Diamond Stakes close at 12pm NOON, Tuesday 5 January 2021 ($440). The MRC has pushed back the due date for Third Declarations ($660) from Tuesday 26 January 2021 until 12pm NOON Thursday 28 January 2021 to avoid the Australia Day Public Holiday.