The Clinton McDonald-trained Hayasugi gets her chance to make history in the 2024 Blue Diamond Stakes in a fortnight after the bonny filly completed the Preview – Prelude double with a photo-finish Group 2 win at Caulfield on Saturday.

2024 Blue Diamond Fillies Prelude winner Hayasugi was good backing up from her Preview victory to salute again at a big price. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The classy young daughter of Royal Meeting continues to handle the pressure having improved on two good spring performances to win the Blue Diamond Fillies Preview fresh last month and then overcome a wide run to step up and salute by a nose in this year’s Group 2 $300,000 Blue Diamond Prelude (F) (1100m).

Despite her good lead-up performance and the confidence of connections, Hayasugi ($8.50) went around at a big price only to reward those that stuck with her thanks to a perfectly-timed ride by Jamie Kah.

“She (Kah) was very confident before the race, we all were,” McDonald told Racing.com after the win.

“I thought I must be a bit of a mug! Anyway, God bless the bookies. It’s been a good day.”

The heavily-backed favourite Bold Bastille from the middle broke away best to lead the Prelude but was found out late having done the early work only to get swamped the closing stages.

Looking to steal the show at just her second start off a winning debut in a Gawler maiden on January 20 was the eye-catching Written Tycoon filly Kuroyanagi ($5.50) for Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea.

She got the gap up the inside, but Hayasugi was quickly on the scene wider out to swoop late having been pushed right out on the bend.

“She’s one of those fillies that’s just tough,” McDonald said of his Prelude champ.

“She was good enough to balance up and find the line like that.”

Showing plenty of talent and tenacity, Hayasugi hit the line a nostril flare ahead of the brave runner-up to become the first filly to complete the Blue Diamond Preview – Prelude double since Fontiton (2015).

The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Microphone filly Matisse ($17) rounded out the trifecta flashing into another third having also run the same placing in the Preview on debut.

Midnight Fever (1987) remains the only filly in history to do the treble and back-up from wins in the Preview and Prelude to beat home the boys in the Blue Diamond Stakes at Group 1 level.

This year’s $2 million Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) runs back at the track on February 24^th.

Hayasugi is into $11 in the latest all-in 2024 Blue Diamond Stakes betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.

“I thought there was a lot of merit to the win and there’s plenty of improvement to come,” McDonald added.

“She’ll tighten up beautifully in a fortnight going up to the 1200 (metres).

“We just have to keep her happy, keep her breathing, and go and count the money!”

Click here for the latest Blue Diamond Stakes 2024 all-in odds thanks to Ladbrokes.com.au.

2024 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies) Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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