Williams’ choice Catchy brilliant in Blue Diamond Stakes

Catchy
Craig Williams partners two-year-old filly Catchy to victory in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield

THE story during the Blue Diamond Stakes lead-up was which horse jockey Craig Williams was going to ride and his decision made perfect sense at Caulfield on Saturday.

Williams ultimately chose to ride the unbeaten Catchy in the $1.5 million feature and the smart Lindsay Park-trained filly produced a big finish to down Pariah near the line.

The tactics were clear from Williams and Catchy’s connections. From barrier 11 it was going to drop back and hope for a drag into the race, but the daughter of Fastnet Rock did it all on natural ability by making a wide run into the straight and letting loose.

“We had two targets. The first target was Pariah – I wanted to get on the back of Blake Shinn, I couldn’t do that,” Williams explained.

“Ollie (Damien Oliver) was very tactical, he came out so I lost my position, but I was very confident at the turn.

“Once I got into the straight I could have cut back and followed Ollie through, but it I got to the outside… asked her to extend and I was always mindful of keeping momentum going.”

Williams stated that the decision to ride the $4.40 second favourite at Sportsbet was tough and stated that their all top quality types.

“To win this race is great and especially the season we’re having with the two-year-olds,” Williams said. “There was a really tough choice, I think they’re a quality bunch.

“I loved her (Catchy), real hard to put that much pressure on her, but she’s living up to it so far.”

Lindsay Park Racing trained three of the first four Blue Diamond runners home and it was a big result for young Ben Hayes who experienced his first group one success on track.

“It’s a big thrill, watching six is quite difficult, but when I saw Catchy flashing down the outside it got very exciting,” Ben Hayes said.

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“This is extra special for me. This is my first group one where I’ve been present. You work so hard and it’s so good to get these results.”

With so many runners in the field, Hayes wasn’t sure which horse to follow as they came around the Caulfield bend.

“I was actually watching Tulip, then I thought Tulip can’t win, then I saw Pariah shoot away, but she got up and it’s very exciting.”

Ben Hayes “big thrill, watching six is quite diffucklt but when I saw catchy flashing down the outside it got very exciting.

Senior trainer David Hayes believes the fillies have a big future and the likes of Tulip and Formality could get their group one features with time.

“First, third and a close fourth – I think they’re all have group one potential and one of them is now,” David Hayes said.

“It’s a huge thrill for Tom (Dabernig). He’s really been very keen on Catchy for a long time.

“I’ve been lucky enough to win a lot of big races, but to do it with a young team behind me, it’s a team effort and it’s great to have that acknowledged.

Peter Snowden said the run didn’t quite pan out for second-placed Pariah, which travelled wide throughout, but battled on gamely in the straight.

“It didn’t quite pan out how we wanted. I left Blake with an open mind and he almost pulled off a perfect ride, just couldn’t get the one-one spot,” Snowden said.

“Very proud of its effort, he wasn’t beaten that far and he’s a great colt.

“He’ll be a better horse in the spring no doubt, more mature horse, but certainly a horse with plenty of ability.”

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