Hayasugi made history with another brilliantly defiant triumph as the 2-year-old fillies struck back in the AU$2 million (US$1.32 million, AU$1=US$0.66) Blue Diamond Stakes (G1) at Caulfield Feb. 24.
Trained by Clinton McDonald, Hayasugi stormed home to become only the second filly—after Midnight Fever in 1987—to clean-sweep the Blue Diamond Preview (G3), Blue Diamond Prelude (G2) and the 1,200-meter (about six-furlong) main event.
Also the first horse overall to achieve the treble since Sepoy in 2011, Hayasugi is the first filly to win the race since Lyre in 2019.
In fact, the first four home were fillies. Hayasugi, ridden by the country’s leading female rider Jamie Kah, settled worse than midfield on the outside from gate 10 and swooped in the last 100 meters to beat brave Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained on-pacer Lady Of Camelot by a head.
South Australian raider Kuroyanagi was a length further back in third, just ahead of Eneeza. Highly fancied colt Coleman saved his worst run for the big stage, firing no shots and eventually finishing 13th as the favorite.
Hayasugi had been relatively unfancied in betting in the Preview and Prelude, and it was the last-gasp nature of those wins that had people doubting her. But again it was her withering late burst that told the tale, as she came from seventh, four lengths off Lady Of Camelot at the 200 meters.
As in the lead-ups, she astonished Kah with her late strength after the jockey felt she’d merely been traveling adequately entering the straight.
“She gives you a nice enough feel on the turn, and then she just finds 10 lengths,” Kah said. “I don’t know how. Today she gave me a nice feel, I thought she’d run on well, and she wins. She’s just so tough.”
HAYASUGI LIKE A ROCKET 🚀!
This 2-year-old filly closed furiously to take the $2 million Blue Diamond Stakes (G1) at Caulfield. Jamie Kah was on board for trainer Clinton Mcdonald. This is her 3rd win in a row!
Wager on the next: https://t.co/Nx3rD5THNa pic.twitter.com/ftk7Y0pmql
— TVG (@TVG) February 24, 2024
A jubilant McDonald said he would now attempt the AU$5 million Golden Slipper (G1) at Rosehill March 23.
Bought for AU$47,500 by James Bester and associates at the 2022 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, Hayasugi is the fourth foal of the unraced China Road, by Commands.
Mr Brightside wins futurity
Another day, another group 1 for Australia’s latest people’s horse Mr Brightside.
Continuing a rich tradition of turf stars to carry the Hayes dynasty’s white with green sash and black sleeves, Mr Brightside claimed another top-tier success with an effortless stroll to a length-and-a-half win in the 1,400-meter (about seven-furlong) Futurity Stakes (G1) at Caulfield.
The foundation stone of Lindsay Park’s third-generation Hayes Brothers, Mr Brightside has won six group 1 races and three group 2s.
The 6-year-old Bullsbar gelding showed again that he could overcome most tactics and challenges. He settled just worse than midfield in the eight-horse Futurity, while Celine Gaudray set a brave pace on another Caulfield 1,400-meter specialist, Buffalo River.
Mike Moroney’s 8-year-old was still four lengths ahead of Mr Brightside at 300 meters, but under hands-and-heels riding from Craig Williams, the favorite soon erased the margin and came away to beat Godolphin’s Pericles, by Street Boss , into second. Buffalo River held on for third.
Mr Brightside wins the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield
Asked if Mr Brightside was now in the champion class, co-trainer Will Hayes answered affirmatively.
“It’s so humbling every time we’re the ones who get to put a saddle on him, because when he can go out and run those sort of races, you’re gobsmacked every time,” Hayes said. “He’s so adaptable. Kudos to Celine and Buffalo River. Those were great tactics, and really made everyone think in the race. For (Mr Brightside) to be able to absorb such high mid-race pressure, kick off and run a strong last 200 meters, it’s just champion qualities. It’s awesome.”
MR BRIGHTSIDE 🎶 IN STYLE!!
Craig Williams gave a perfect ride to the 6-year-old gelding in the $750,000 Futurity Stakes (G1) at Caulfield! He’s trained by @lindsayparkrace!
Play the next: https://t.co/P85jVlpptu pic.twitter.com/o8cRId3dif
— TVG (@TVG) February 24, 2024
Mr Brightside is the third foal of the unraced Tavistock mare Lilahjay. He was bought for just AU$22,000 from the Karaka May Sale in 2019 by Phill Cataldo Bloodstock.
Queman floors oakleigh plate rivals
Unsung South Australian homebred Queman brought a triumph for the battlers when he narrowly prevailed in a gripping two-horse scrap to win the 1,100-meter (about 5 1/2-furlong) Oakleigh Plate (G1) at Caulfield.
The 5-year-old, who previously had contested just one group race amid 20 starts, went to the barriers unfancied on the eighth line of betting, despite winning at the same course in his previous start in the W.J. Adams Stakes.
Ridden by Harry Coffey, Queman settled second behind Hypothetical and emerged to make his challenge entering the straight at the 300-meter mark. Contrasting a typical Oakleigh Plate mass charge, the leading two—lightweight chances with 52 kilograms—powered away from the rest of the field. Queman narrowly ground past his brave rival in the last few strides, winning by a nose. The Gavin Bedggood-trained Mornington Glory completed a longshot trifecta in third.
Queman (outside) wins the Oakleigh Plate by a nose over Hypothetical at Caulfield
Queman brought his Strathalbyn-based father-and-daughter trainers Shane and Cassie Oxlade their first group 1 success.
Continuing the modest backstory, Queman is the second stakes winner for little-known American stallion Mint Lane , by Maria’s Mon, who was brought to Australia in 2010 and retired in 2019 after standing that season in South Australia for just AU$3,300.
“Whether it’s Cassie or my other daughter Tamara, my wife, the whole family, we’re just battlers,” said Shane Oxlade. “We love racing, it’s been in our family all my life, it’s all I’ve done. I’ve had some nice horses but to get one to come here on Oakleigh Plate day and pull it off, it’s pretty special.”
Queman’s rise has been dramatic. Last April, he finished third in a Morphettville Benchmark 76 over 1,100 meters. Since then he’s won five of his six starts, rising from Benchmark 82 to group 1. He is the sole named foal of country maiden winner Langreen, by Clangalang.
QUEMAN 😍
SA’s Shane & Cassie Oxlade are the winners of the 2024 Oakleigh Plate 🏆
What a moment for SA racing! pic.twitter.com/e5gYJQXIIg
— Racing SA (@RacingSA) February 24, 2024
