Lyre claims Blue Diamond for Freedman and Godolphin

Caulfield: Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes | Group 1 | 6f | 2yo

The Freedman name returned on the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes honour roll as Godolphin's famous blue colours were carried to victory for the first time in the race by Lyre on Saturday.

Ridden patiently and perfectly by Luke Currie, the Anthony Freedman-trained filly surged from the second half of the field to secure Victoria's richest juvenile race by half a length.

Lankan Star stalked the pace and weaved through late for second while Free Of Debt stayed on determinedly from his on-pace position for third.

"She's obviously a quality filly and arguably she should be unbeaten," Freedman said. "She's kept improving with each run. They ran a fairly good time and she was the strongest at the finish."

Lyre's Blue Diamond victory ensured Freedman joined brother Lee as training the winner of the race.

Anthony for years worked as a foreman for Lee as his older sibling officially prepared Knowledge (1997), Danelagh (1998) and Alinghi (2004) to win the race.

"This is a great result for our family," Anthony Freedman said. "Our association with Godolphin has gone back a long time now, they've been very good to our family and myself personally in the last 12 months."

Also on Saturday

Caulfield: Ladbrokes Oakleigh Plate | Group 1 | 5½f | 2yo+

Beaten less than half a length in the race last year, Booker burst through the pack from a midfield position to score in the A$500,000 (£273,000) race by three-quarters of a length from the three-year-old Encryption, with Eduardo running third on just his fifth race start.

Mat Ellerton, who trains in partnership with his cousin Simon Zahra at Flemington, said the stable had long had a good record in the race and after a throat problem shortened Booker's spring campaign, he set the four-year-old for the race first-up.

"We had a chequered spring with her – she had a minor throat problem early in the spring but we've been really plain sailing this prep and she came into this race really well," Ellerton said.

The stable will now consider a Newmarket Handicap for Booker.

"I sort of kicked myself, I ran in it last year but this might have changed our minds," she said. "She will make her way to Sydney, maybe Brisbane and Adelaide, as there are good races for her everywhere."

Caulfield: Yulong Futurity Stakes | Group 1 | 7f | 3yo+

James Cummings has never doubted the resilience of Alizee but after the mare overcame a wide draw to win her third Group 1 in the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield, he was noticeably impressed.

"They don't hand them out and that is probably the toughest I've seen a horse of mine win a Group 1 in such a fashion," he said.

"She's just a brute of a mare and when ridden for a turn of foot, she can be even better."

Group 1 events are most valuable for a mare like Alizee, but she will race for no Group status at her next start when she contests for her biggest prize-money cheque ever when she steps out as the likely hot favourite for the A$5 million All-Star Mile at Flemington on March 16.

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