Lindsay Park senior trainer David Hayes may have been disappointed with Oscietra’s third at her Flemington debut but he’s happy in the knowledge the stable has two ready-made replacements.
Tulips and Catchy, both debut Moonee Valley winners last month, are on a path to next month’s Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield while Black Caviar’s daughter will have a break.
Hayes has high hopes for the fillies and at this stage of their careers is refusing to split them.
Catchy, a winner on December 9, will run in the Super VOBIS Two-Year-Old Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday in an attempt to secure extra prize money and ensure a start in the Blue Diamond.
She will then be kept fresh before contesting the Blue Diamond Prelude for fillies at Caulfield on February 11.
“She’s running on Saturday to ensure she’s got enough stake money to get into the good races,” Hayes said.
“We’ll keep her races spaced but she’ll more than likely go to the Diamond Prelude after Saturday.”
Tulip was impressive winning at Moonee Valley on Saturday, rounding the field up from last position in the style of a good horse.
Hayes says he’ll wrap Tulip in cotton wool until her next appearance, likely to be in the Group Three Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield on February 4.
He said he would keep the fillies apart until the Blue Diamond on February 25.
“I’d like to clash them in a million dollar race, not in the lead-ups,” he said.
Hayes said it’s hard to compare the two fillies at this stage of their careers but is excited by their potential.
“I’ve seen them do some very good things in training,” he said.
“They both race the same, get back and charge home and that’s how I prefer my horses to race.
“I really like them both.”
Craig Williams will ride Catchy on Saturday and said after Tulip’s win on Saturday it would be a tough decision to pick between the pair when they do clash.
“That will be a job for (racing manager) Mark Guest,” he said.