Catchy out to prove Diamond credentials

David Hayes has won five Blue Diamond Stakes and the trainer could have that many chances in the race this year as he bids to add to his record haul.

Some of his stable’s Blue Diamond nominations will run in Saturday’s respective Preludes at Caulfield including the unbeaten Catchy.

She will be chasing her third win in Saturday’s Group Two Fillies Prelude (1100m).

“Hopefully she comes out of the race as the favourite,” Hayes said.

“She’s in good order. We’ve put the winkers on her, just to sharpen her up a bit. Craig (Williams) thought she was a bit wayward on the bend last start, and her work in them has been first class.”

Hayes, who trains in partnership with his son Ben and nephew Tom Dabernig, has a host of Blue Diamond entries including last week’s Chairman’s Stakes-winning filly Formality who shares equal $6.50 favouritism on TAB Fixed Odds with the Ciaron Maher-trained Jukebox and Sydney colt Pariah.

Catchy is at $8 alongside another stablemate Tulip.

While Catchy will carry the stable’s hopes in the Fillies Prelude, well-bred colt Will’s Bid and Wait For No One run in the males division.

Will’s Bid won at Geelong on debut on December 26 and is a half-brother to dual hemisphere Group One-winning sprinter Starspangledbanner.

“He might not catch everyone’s eye because he hasn’t been racing lately, but I think he’s a good class colt,” Hayes said.

“He’s at least a VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes horse and will be storming home late.

“He might do a Formality and go from Victorian provincials and run very well on the weekend, I hope.”

Hayes believes Wait For No One went too quickly in front in the Blue Diamond Preview when he weakened in the last 100m to finish sixth.

“I gave Regan (Bayliss) a speeding ticket,” Hayes said.

“We’ll ride him a bit more conservatively and not as fast through the middle stages. He’s a good competitive two-year-old on trial for the Diamond as well.”

Hayes will have a clearer picture next week how many runners he’will have in the Blue Diamond on February 25.

“There could be five I reckon, and there’s about eight qualified,” he said.

Related Posts

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments