While favourite Brooklyn Hustle is still a couple of weeks off her return to the races, a host of other two-year-olds with Blue Diamond aims are set to clash in the fillies Preview at Caulfield.
The Jason Warren-trained Brooklyn Hustle is the current $4.50 favourite for next month’s $1.5 million Blue Diamond (1200m) at Caulfield after her impressive debut win at Moonee Valley last month.
Brooklyn Hustle is scheduled to have her lead-up in the fillies Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) on February 9, two weeks before the Group One Blue Diamond.
Saturday’s Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for fillies has still attracted 35 nominations, six being last-start winners including three at stakes level.
The colts and geldings Preview has 17 entries headed by Flemington debut winner Microphone.
Gimcrack Stakes winner Catch Me is scheduled to make her return in the fillies Preview along with Victory Vein Plate-winning stablemate Anaheed, while the Lloyd Kennewell-trained Flemington debut winner Jedastar is also set to race for the second time.
Mick Price has nominated Merson Cooper Stakes-winning filly Steal My Kisses but has the option to wait another week for the Chairman’s Stakes, while the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable’s nominations include Bella Rosa who won a Group Three race at Flemington at her only start in November.
Catch Me is on the second line of Blue Diamond betting at $8 while Anaheed and Jedastar are among a group of horses at $15.
Trainer Tony McEvoy is hopeful Pretty Brazen will make her mark after her close second to Microphone on debut at Flemington.
McEvoy has nominated unraced fillies Westport and I Am but they are also entered for a maiden at The Valley on Friday night.
Pretty Brazen led on the rail side down the straight on debut and went down by a nose, with Microphone finishing wider on the course.
“She was amazing on debut,” McEvoy said.
“There was no speed in that race and she led and was very lost. I’m sure if that colt was next to her she would have beaten him.
“She’s a good filly.”
