Already stakes placed on two prior occasions, Clinton McDonald’s 2yo filly Streisand (Magnus) improved from her slightly unlucky fifth in the G3 MRC Blue Diamond Preview (F) (1000m) last time out to win the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (F) (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Having won the Prelude two years back with the ill-fated Hayasugi (Royal Meeting), who went on to defeat that year’s G1 Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot in the G1 Blue Diamond, Streisand will be out to become just the fourth filly to win the Diamond in the last ten years.
Jumping away favourite just ahead of Tony and Calvin McEvoy’s unbeaten Moana Spirit, jockey Jamie Melham had the filly away well from the middle of the line with last start G3 Blue Diamond Preview runner up I Am Aria coming across to settle on the fence in front.
Melham continued her forward path on Streisand settling in second, a half-length behind the leader with Preview winner Rubi’s Choice back in fourth but slightly wide.
Coming into the home turn, I Am Aria was quickly under pressure as Melham took the lead aboard Streisand, hitting the lead at the 200m mark to pull away and win by three-quarters of a length from Annabel and Rob Archibald’s Chayan, who got up to nab I Am Aria, giving Yarraman Park’s I Am Invincible second and third.
Recording her first victory at start four, the winning performance took her career earnings to $331.500.
McDonald indicated post-race that the filly did remind him of Haysaugi, but with a little more attitude.
“We came in very confident – we thought the first-up run over 1000m was terrific, on a track that was against her,” McDonald said.
“She’ll go a long way in the Diamond. I think she’s got the right mental aptitude for it and the toughness.
“I’ve said all the way along she’s a bit like Hayasugi – understated, tough. Hopefully she does one better.”
“This one has a bit more bitch about her, I suppose. A bit more temperamental where Hayasugi was a sweetheart.
“We’re happy to put up with her and we’re looking forward to the next two weeks.”
One of just 21 named foals from the penultimate crop of Flying Spur’s G1 Galaxy winner Magnus, Streisand is the lone winner (and stakes winner) out of the Zoustar mare Zouper Star, a half-sister to the Listed winner Best Yet To Come.
Purchased for $100,000 from the draft of Northmore Thoroughbreds draft at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale by Shane McGrath Bloodstock and Clinton McDonald Racing, the Eldon Park Stud-bred Streisand was originally a $22,000 purchase by Northmore Thoroughbreds and Waterford from the Yarran Thoroughbreds draft at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale.
Newhaven Park will offer Lot 458, the half-brother by G1 Blue Diamond Stakes and G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Star Witness at the upcoming Inglis Premier yearling sale which commences on March 1.
Zouper Star foaled a colt by Nicconi in October before being covered by Street Boss, the sire of G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) winner Closer To Free.
Passing away in September 2023, Magnus is now the sire of 33 stakes winners headed by four individual G1 winners.
