Prairie chases Diamond start at Flemington

Prairie Fire will be racing for a start in the Blue Diamond Stakes when he runs in a stakes race at Flemington.

The Mick Price-trained two-year-old is still in contention for a start in Saturday week’s Group One Blue Diamond at Caulfield, but needs to win at Flemington on Saturday to secure a berth.

Prairie Fire is currently rated the $4.80 third favourite for The Asian Executive Stakes (1100m) which is headed by debutante Pierro Belle ($3) ahead of Khulaasa ($4.20).

The two-year-old has raced only once previously finishing 2-3/4 lengths third behind Ennis Hill in the Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield on February 3.

“He ran third the other day working home slowly but surely,” Price said.

“I’ve put the blinkers on him. He’ll improve but I’m not sure whether he’s improved enough to win a race like that.”

Price said his owners Sun Bloodstock intended to run Prairie Fire in the Blue Diamond should he make the field.

“He’s still paid up for in the Blue Diamond and they want to run him,” Price said.

“If he can get in they want to have a crack.

“I’m doing my best to get him there, but we’ll just have to see what happens on Saturday whether he gets in.”

Mark Zahra, who rode the colt on debut, has the ride again on Saturday and the pair will jump from the widest gate in the 10-horse field.