Catchy could take on the colts and geldings in the Caulfield Guineas
A trial involving eight classy three-year-olds at Cranbourne has confirmed what senior Lindsay Park trainer David Hayes has always thought.
Stablemates Catchy, Formality and Tulip got away from their predominantly male opposition at the end of a 1000m-trial on Tuesday.
Formality edged out Tulip by a nose with Catchy a neck away third and Hayes was delighted with their performances.
“I thought they were all good and it’s just confirmed what I’ve always thought, there’s not much between them,” Hayes said.
“They all trialled well at Flemington and Formality went better today than at Flemington when she slipped.
“It was good to see Catchy handle that ground after not going on it in Sydney and Tulip is going beautifully.
“I thought bringing them down here, getting them out of their normal routine was ideal, but today is the only time they’ll see each other in the spring.”
Group One Blue Diamond winner Catchy is set to run first-up in the Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 19 with the Coolmore-owned Formality and Tulip Sydney-bound.
Hayes said the two Coolmore fillies would be kept on separate paths with one aimed towards the Golden Rose and the other the Flight Stakes.
Catchy will remain in Melbourne and if she proves dominant against the fillies could switch from the Thousand Guineas to take on the colts and geldings in the Caulfield Guineas.
“She’s beaten them in the Blue Diamond and it’s double the money,” Hayes said.
“If she is the dominant filly I would be recommending to (owner) Rob Crabtree to go up against the boys.
“All of them are still wintry in the coat and they’ll be better in September and then be peaking in October.”
