Why Guest House is the "clear number one" pick to win Blue Diamond

With Guest House’s co-trainer Mick Price confirming on SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up that his two-year-old gun will head to the Group 1 Blue Diamond (1200m), there is plenty of confidence around by racing analysts that the colt by Home Affairs will win that sprint.

Guest House is one win from one start, winning his debut race at Cranbourne across 1000m by 0.75 lengths.

RSN’s Nick Noonan believes the colt will open as favourite for that $2 million race, explaining that based off ratings Guest House is probably the equal third best two-year-old behind Bjorn Baker’s Paradoxium and Warwoven who won’t be targeting the Blue Diamond.

“He’s not necessarily flying under the radar, but I think when the Blue Diamond markets open, he will be favourite,” Noonan said on RSN's Correct Weight.

“He currently sits on the ratings as probably the equal third best two-year-old we've seen so far this season (behind Paradoxium and Warwoven).

“And I think he might only improve away from Cranbourne, stepping up in distance.

“Right now, from a Blue Diamond point of view, I think Guest House is clear number one.

“When those markets open, I'm going to be very intrigued to see what price they put up about him.”

Fellow racing analyst Ben Caluzzi also believes that Guest House skipping past the Magic Millions 2YO Classic will only strengthen the Price and Kent Jnr-trained colt’s chances in the Blue Diamond.

Noonan agreed with that take, doubling down on how Guest House is the clear pick to win that two-year-old Group 1.

Caluzzi: “They've avoided the temptation to go up to the Magic Millions, and in terms of a Blue Diamond, if you're wanting to have a bet, that's probably a positive.”

Noonan: “Yeah, and I think if he was to head up to the Magic Millions, he'd probably be second pick (behind Warwoven).

“I think he's probably the number one seed (for the Blue Diamond).

The Group 1 Blue Diamond will be run at Caulfield Racecourse across 1200m on February 21.

Chances are you're about to lose. Set a deposit limit. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au

Mick Price, co-trainer of promising colt Guest House, has laid out his plan for the two-year-old’s future in early 2026.

The son of Home Affairs won his debut in seemingly effortless fashion at Cranbourne on Saturday.

Price revealed that the colt will have a slight break before heading to a trial, and then straight into the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) and Group 1 Blue Diamond (1200m) at Caulfield in February next year.

“He'll have a little breather on green grass for about eight or nine days,” Price told SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up.

“Then he'll probably have a trial on the 26th (of January) on Australia Day.

“Then he'll run on the 7th (of February) in the 1100m (Blue Diamond) Prelude, and then into the Blue Diamond.

“Hopefully on towards Sydney from there.”

The week before his Cranbourne debut, Guest House was scratched from the Magic Millions Vic 2YO Classic due to drawing barrier 11.

This meant Guest House’s run at Cranbourne wasn’t ideal for the Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable, but it turned out to be an amazing decision, as the prize money won from that race contributes to the bay’s qualification for both the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper.

“We had to take a bit of a punt on that race, it wasn't ideal,” Price revealed.

“The week before, (he) drew (barrier) 11 at Caulfield Heath, so we just couldn't work out that race.

“So, we took a punt on Cranbourne. He was lucky enough to win, despite not being suited.

“It's good to get that out of the way because the Magic Millions race the week before, that prize money does not count for the Blue Diamond or the (Golden) Slipper.

“With two-year-olds, obviously you don't have many opportunities to get that prize money as you just can't run them and run them and run them.

“So, $82,500 goes towards those nice races.”

When reflecting on how the colt pulled up from his debut race, Price revealed that the run took nothing out of him.

“He's put up very well,” he said.

“His immune system is not robust for a strong horse yet, it's not too bad, but there's probably areas of improvement there.

“But knee's good, shin's good, joints’ good, the horse’s constitution's very good, he's like a big strong centre half-forward that colt.

“The race took nothing out of him, just looking at him on Sunday morning and this morning.”

However, despite the young gun’s impressive debut victory, Price admitted that there is still plenty of improvement required from the colt prior to the two-year-old Group 1.

“I don't think we saw the best of him Saturday,” Price said.

“I think he'll be better over 1200m when he's got a bit of room, and I think the 1100m of the Prelude will suit him pretty well.

“He's got to get his brain working a bit better. Like a month ago, if we had the wrong rider on him, he would have charged through the bridle. He's just got that explosive nature about him, so you do have to be careful there.

“I think if he does learn to just be a proper horse and relax a little bit, he'd be very, very well suited in a Blue Diamond.”

The Group 1 Blue Diamond will be run at Caulfield Racecourse across 1200m on February 21, 2026.