Streisand triumphs in Caulfield's Blue Diamond Stakes
Clinton McDonald has reclaimed his status as 'King of the Kids' for the second time in three years, courtesy of Streisand's victory in Victoria's leading two-year-old event at Caulfield.
The trainer took the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) two years back with the tragic Hayasugi, and it was again a filly, Streisand, saluting on Saturday.
Hayasugi's winning ride came from Jamie Melham, whereas Ben Melham, her husband, partnered Streisand this time, ensuring the filly enjoyed a trouble-free trip.
Tracking three-wide in third externally to Lady Moscato and Closer To Free, Melham had Streisand, fitted with blinkers for the initial occasion, cruising a length adrift of the frontrunners.
Regathering poise turning for home, Streisand and Closer To Free drew clear together, before Streisand asserted dominance late.
The $11 shot Streisand surged clear for a three-quarters-of-a-length margin over favourite Closer To Free ($4.60), with $4.80 Guest House grabbing third and delivering first and third for the Melhams.
Bred as a daughter of Magnus from Zouper Star, a Zoustar mare, Streisand arrived as the veteran of the 16-horse field, with four prior starts under her belt come Saturday.
Employing a comparable path to Hayasugi's prep, Cranbourne's McDonald couldn't fathom the betting ring price on his charge once more.
"She's very similar to Hayasugi, very understated," McDonald said.
"Hayasugi won by a head in the Prelude and everyone wrote her off in the Diamond and she went around, I think, at $18, and it was the same with this filly.
"She ran second twice, beaten a short-half-head twice, ran fifth and was unlucky and won at her fourth start.
"I thought 'have I got this wrong, I think she's going alright this filly', and I've said all along she's had a solid preparation, a faultless preparation, and she's tough,
"And that's what you need to win these races.
"I just thought she was the most seasoned horse in the race. The way she walked around the mounting yard it was like she's done it her whole life, and she raced that way.
"It's just terrific, look out tonight."
According to Melham, capturing the Diamond was a long-term objective.
Even without a win, Streisand boasted impressive trials pre-Christmas, followed by consistent sharpening post-break.
"That's what you want to see from these two-year-olds," Melham said.
"She's a ready-made racehorse. Clinton and the team have done a great job.
"She's a cranky little thing on the ground, but lovely to ride race day.
"Blinkers first time today, we always thought she'd improve with them on.
"She was a little bit sleepy going to the start, and I gave her a bit of a squeeze and then she picked up and I lit her up in the barriers a bit just to make sure she jumped because she went to sleep on me again.
"A lot of the speed didn't jump, and we didn't end up going that quick. I was just in a position where I could control the race and she did the rest."
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