Yu Long Investments $625,000 Easter purchase Catch Me swept down the centre of the Randwick straight to capture Saturday's Group III Keeneland Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) in race record time.
The daughter of I Am Invincible was caught wide the trip and conceded the frontrunning Diddles a sizeable lead coming into the straight but once Kerrin McEvoy asked her for the supreme effort Catch Me put the race to bed in the space of 100 metres, coming clear to win by two- and three-quarter lengths in 56.99 seconds.
The well-supported Snitzel x Mimi Lebrock filly Diddles hung on gamely for second with the striking Exceed And Excel filly Mayaaseh a half-length back in third. (photo Steve Hart)
She's got a nice amount of ability, I was wide and got pushed wider on the corner but she still had the tenacity to kick on and she did it quite soft in the end - it was a great start to her career," McEvoy said.
"She's above average that's for sure and she's only going to get better.
Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, Catch Me will be put away and aimed at the top two-year-old races in the autumn.
"I said to the owners yesterday, if she runs well I think the Blue Diamond is the perfect timing for her. So that's what we'll have in mind," Peter Snowden told AAP.
"I gave Kerrin the option to slot in and he tried that but was still six deep not getting much cover.
"She's obviously a filly with good potential. I'll definitely put her out now."
Bred by and offered for sale by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds, Cath Me was knocked down to Yu Long Investments for $625,000 at the 2018 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
She is the second foal and first runner for the unraced O'Reilly mare Captivating Claire who was purchased by Segenhoe for $420,000 at the 2012 Karaka Yearling Sale.
A half-sister to Listed stakes-winner Ocean Jewel, Captivating Claire is out of the Group III placed Danehill mare Markisa who is a three-quarter sister to Danewin, Commands and Court Of Jewels and a half-sister to Group 1 winner Shower Of Roses (Zabeel) and the unraced Mazarine (Zabeel) the dam of this year's Group 1 ATC Vinery Stud Stakes winner Hiyaam (High Chaparral).
This, of course, is the peerless Eight Carat family of Octagonal, Diamond Lover, Kaapstad, Mouawad, Don Eduardo and Tristalove.
Captivating Claire has visited I Am Invincible in her first four seasons at stud.
She has a yearling colt and a filly foal by the Yarraman Park champion stallion.
Catch Me becomes the 34thy stakes-winner for I Am Invincible who is serving the current season at a career high of $192,500.
