Cherish Me presses G1 Blue Diamond Stakes claims

Cherish Me will be given the chance to take up the guaranteed berth in this year’s Blue Diamond Stakes she earned herself via her impressive debut win at Geelong on Saturday.

The Ciaron Maher-trained daughter of Brazen Beau launched her career in style, sweeping past her rivals in the straight to take out the $150,000 Geelong Diamond.

The 1100-metre contest carried a Blue Diamond ballot exemption and Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said she had earned the right to be given the chance to take it up.

“You look at her now, she’s got plenty of substance, stands over a lot of ground and she’s a really good mover,” he said.

“She has an action, which is important, and a brain to follow. It’s ideal to get that out of the way, a bit of prize money and form, and now we can map a better plan into those bigger races.”

A $280,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale purchase, Cherish Me is out of the Danehill Dancer mare Hold Me Closer, which makes her a half-sister to one-time Victoria Derby favourite Thought Of That.

That strength shone through late when the $4.60 betting apps chance was able to come from just worse than midfield to score a two-length win over Cavalry Girl ($5.50), who boxed on well to finish 1-1/4 lengths clear of Lofty Thoughts ($4.20 fav).

Tom Stockdale partnered Cherish Me to victory and was taken by the filly’s professionalism.

“Watching her jumpout replay, she looked ever so natural and that’s what you want in a two-year-old going forward,” Stockdale said.

“I was quite keen to get on her today and hope that she possessed it at the races, and she was just the ultimate professional from start to finish.”