Co-trainer David Hayes celebrated his incredible sixth win with the 2017 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes results with ace filly Catchy retaining her flawless career record with a gutsy victory in the Group 1.
Catchy was ultra-impressive winning the 2017 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes for now six-time winning trainer David Hayes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The last of Hayes’ Blue Diamond Stakes winners was Reaan (2008), but he was back in the winners’ stall on Saturday at Caulfield Racecourse celebrating the success of gun Fastnet Rock filly in partnership with his son Ben and nephew Tom Dabernig.
“A big thrill,” the young Ben Hayes said after the win.
“When I saw Catchy flashing down the outside, it got very exciting.”
The Lindsay Park team dominated the $1.5 million Group 1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) preparing three of the first four over the line in the two-year-olds’ classic.
Coming from right back in the field with the scintillating late burst, Catchy enjoyed her fourth win from as many career starts swallowing up the brave Peter & Paul Snowden-trained runner-up Pariah.
Third and fourth in the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes First Four went to fellow Lindsay Park fillies Formality and Tulip in an incredible result for the team.
“First, third and a close fourth,” David Hayes said.
“I think they’re all Group 1 potential and one of them is now.”
Catchy became the latest filly since Earthquake (2014) to complete the Blue Diamond Prelude – Blue Diamond Stakes double and there is a chance she will press onto Sydney for a shot at the $3.5 million Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) next month.
Jockey Craig Williams celebrated his maiden Blue Diamond Stakes victory having had his pick of many top hopes in the 2017 edition, only to be rewarded sticking aboard Catchy.
“To win this race is great,” an elated Williams said after the win.
“I had the right horse and it worked out really good.
“She’s living up to it [the pressure we’ve put on her.
“She’s a really, really good horse.
“She just gave me that felling that yep, we’re going to get there and she did.”
Catchy unleashed a terrific turn of foot in the deserving victory having come from well back in running to defeat Pariah who was game up on the speed covering ground, poised on the outside in third behind the leaders.
Formality meanwhile was terrific running third in the Blue Diamond Stakes trifecta on the back of her
The best Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes 2017 odds on this year’s winner were available at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au so check them out for the other top autumn racing markets!
2017 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes Results & Finishing Order
Caulfield Race 7 – 25/02/2017
| Place | # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Br. | Wgt. | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 | CATCHY | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Craig Williams | – | 11 | 54.5kg | $4.80 |
| 2 | 4 | PARIAH | Peter & Paul Snowden | Blake Shinn | 0.4L | 9 | 56.5kg | $4F |
| 3 | 12 | FORMALITY | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Ryan Moore | 2.15L | 10 | 54.5kg | $9 |
| 4 | 13 | TULIP | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Damien Oliver | 2.45L | 6 | 54.5kg | $7 |
| 5 | 1 | PROPERTY | Robert Smerdon | Joao Moreira | 2.85L | 2 | 56.5kg | $5 |
| 6 | 9 | MURAAHIB | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Steven Arnold | 3.6L | 13 | 56.5kg | $31 |
| 7 | 5 | WAIT FOR NO ONE | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Regan Bayliss | 3.9L | 8 | 56.5kg | $61 |
| 8 | 15 | ROOMOOZ | Tony McEvoy | Dwayne Dunn | 4.2L | 3 | 54.5kg | $17 |
| 9 | 6 | ASPECT | Tony McEvoy | Luke Currie | 4.7L | 12 | 56.5kg | $101 |
| 10 | 7 | CAO CAO | Mick Price | Mark Zahra | 4.9L | 1 | 56.5kg | $71 |
| 11 | 8 | TAKING AIM | Peter & Paul Snowden | Craig Newitt | 5L | 4 | 56.5kg | $26 |
| 12 | 17e | SHEER MADNESS | John Salanitri | Stephen Baster | 6.5L | 5 | 56.5kg | $201 |
| 13 | 10 | WILL’S BID | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Damian Lane | 7L | 14 | 56.5kg | $61 |
| 14 | 16 | BLONDIE | Brendan McCarthy | Chris Symons | 22L | 7 | 54.5kg | $71 |
| – | 3 | JUKEBOX | Ciaron Maher | Luke Nolen | – | 0 | – | – |
| – | 14 | SPOILS | Clinton McDonald | Ben Melham | – | 0 | – | – |
| – | 2 | AZAZEL | Tony McEvoy | Kerrin McEvoy | – | 0 | – | – |
