Hayasugi races into G1 Blue Diamond Stakes contention

Race experience counted as the Clinton Mcdonald-trained Hayasugi snared her win just at the right time – right on the winning post – to throw herself into contention for the Blue Diamond Stakes in four weeks’ time.

Hayasugi in Japanese means ‘too early’ but there was nothing of that about Jamie Kah’s ride as the two-year-old by Royal Meeting wore down the Robbie Griffiths and Mat de Kock-trained Tobeornottobe on the line in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for filles.

One of only two fillies in the event with race experience, Hayasugi after her second-placed debut at Moonee Valley in the Restricted Listed Inglis Banner (1000m) on Cox Plate Day followed-up with a fifth placing in the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes (1000m) on Oaks Day.

“She’s made a lot of improvement,” McDonald said.

“She came here off one trial – quite a soft trial – and she was meant to have another trial but they got cancelled with wet weather.

“There’s a lot of improvement to come and I thought it was a really good win.”

McDonald added that settling off the pace and making a late run suited the filly.

“She probably petered on her run a bit late but she was tough enough to win,” he said.

“Race day experience, you can’t beat it.”

He noted that the filly would be more suited to the 1200-metres of the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes on February 24 than the 1000-metres of this event.

“We don’t want her to be ready too early,” McDonald added.

Hayasugi ($5.50) won by a short-head margin over Tobeornottooe ($6) with the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Matisse ($5 equal favourite) a long-neck away in third.

All being well, Hayasugi will progress to the Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) on February 10.

A $47,500 purchase at the 2022 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, Hayasugi was then passed in at the 2023 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale after not attracting the $20,000 reserve set.

She is rated an $11 chance with betting apps for the Blue Diamond Stakes.