It didn’t take long for the blue colours of Godolphin to salute at Caulfield on Saturday.
Two-year-old filly Lyre claimed the $200,000 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Prelude for the girls, also earning the Freedman stable back-to-back wins thanks to a brilliant ride from jockey Damian Lane.
Lyre, above, now stands on the second line of betting after Saturday’s win in the Blue Diamond Prelude. Photo Credit: Ultimate Racing Photos.
With $2.10 favourite Catch Me hardly looking up to the task, Lyre found an extra gear at the 200m mark to dive at the line and win by less than half a length.
Lane, who previously rode Nature Strip to victory in the Rubiton Stakes, did well to remain patient down the middle portion of the track. The 14-time Group 1 winner admitted the draw from barrier 9 was tricky, but thinks there’s plenty of encouraging signs to come from the run.
“She was great, she had a nice run from an awkward draw, but she’s just a filly that’s progressed every start” Lane said.
With the Group 1 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) the target in two weeks’ time, trainer Sam Freedman was happy to see some improvement despite winning at Sale last month.
“Last time she just didn’t quite know how to put them away, but she’s learned a lot” Freedman said.
“Her work on Tuesday was very good, she’s shown a lot. She was probably well over the odds today, but it was a pretty hot field. We always had a fair opinion of her, and it was nice to see her go and do it.”
Lyre has firmed from a whopping $26.00 with Ladbrokes into $9.00 ahead of Blue Diamond.
Likewise, trainer Jason Warren was also encouraged by Brooklyn Hustle’s race, who finished fifth after being left with plenty of ground to make up down the straight.
“We’re happy enough with the run, we’ve trained her for a second-up run this prep” Warren said.
“She worked to the line well, she’s probably a little bit fierce in the early stages of the race, but just needed a day out. She’s only a baby having her second start, she’ll come on again from today and that’s sort of what we planned coming in here.”
