More than 600 two-year-olds remain in contention for the 2016 Blue Diamond Stakes after the completion of first declarations for Victoria's richest juvenile event.
Connections lodged first Blue Diamond declarations for 612 youngsters, which represents a rise of 85 on last year's figure at the same juncture.
David Hayes and Tom Dabernig's stable accounts for 63 of the declarations while Godolphin has 46 possible Blue Diamond Stakes runners.
Mick Price, who won the 2012 Blue Diamond Stakes with Samaready, accepted with 45 two-year-olds while Hawkes Racing and Gai Waterhouse have 34 and 33 horses in contention for the $1 million event, which will be held on February 27 at Caulfield.
Colts and geldings have an advantage in numbers with 333 remaining in the Blue Diamond Stakes while 285 fillies remain possible starters.
Arrowfield Stud stallion Snitzel tops the stallion numbers with 45 representatives in the first declarations ahead of Fastnet Rock and Sebring with 33 and 30 respectively.
Click here for the first declarations for the 2016 Blue Diamond Stakes.
