The last-to-first debut effort of the David Hayes-trained Mama’s Choice caused Blue Diamond Stakes markets to be reshuffled with Malasun, who did not race on Saturday, taking over as favourite.
Leading up to Saturday’s Listed Emirates Airlines Stakes (1100m), the Tony McEvoy-trained Jimando had been the $5.50 Blue Diamond favourite but after his third placing he is now out to $9.
Mama’s Choice is also $9, in from $151, for the Group One Blue Diamond (1200m) at Caulfield on February 25.
She will try to win the race at just her second start as her sire Redoute’s Choice did in 1999.
The only difference is that Saturday’s race is three weeks before the Blue Diamond whereas Redoute’s Choice won the Listed Veuve Clicquot Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield before backing up a week later.
Hayes, who has won a record five Blue Diamonds including three in succession on return from his decade-long Hong Kong training stint, combined with jockey Dwayne Dunn for Saturday’s upset win on the $31 shot.
Dunn himself is a Blue Diamond specialist having won it four times in a row aboard Undoubtedly (2005) and then Hayes’ three – Nadeem (2006), Sleek Chassis (2007) and Reaan (2008).
The half-length win over Flemington debut winner Formidable ($6) with Jimando ($2.40 fav) a short-half-head away third was not totally unexpected by Hayes.
“We were confident before the barriers were drawn but from that awkward barrier (nine of 11) I didn’t want to drive her forward,” Hayes said.
“So coming from last was always going to be a task but she was impressive wasn’t she.”
“She joined in very quickly, put it all over very quickly, then switched off. That’s what I liked – her turn of foot from the 400 to the 200 (metres).
“I’d say we’d be right in it (the Blue Diamond), we’ve hit form at the right time.
“It never used to happen in the old era, but in this era Diamond winners step out around now.”
Hayes has always had a big opinion of Mama’s Choice who is a half-sister to WATC St Leger placegetter Red Hot Choice.
Her dam, General Nediym mare Red Hot Mama, is a winning half-sister to Victoria Oaks winner Hollow Bullet.
“(Owner) Jonathan Munz gave me seven two-year-olds this year and I told him she was the number one seed,” Hayes said.
“I haven’t been winning any two-year-old races this year but in a normal year I would have gone into the race roaring confident.
“But having run so many placings I thought maybe my team of horses are a little off the mark.
“So I’m happy and relieved that one has stepped up at the right time.”
The Mick Price-trained Malasun, who made an impressive debut winning the Blue Diamond Fillies Preview (1000m) at Caulfield last month, is the $6 Blue Diamond favourite.
