Blue Diamond dealers: Lindsay Park eyes 11th success in Group 1 blockbuster at Caulfield

Tycoon Star and Miss Celine could build on a Lindsay Park family tradition with victory in the $2m Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) on Saturday at Caulfield.

Tycoon Star won the Maribyrnong Plate on debut. Picture: Michael Klein

Tycoon Star and Miss Celine could build on a Lindsay Park family tradition with victory in the $2m Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) on Saturday at Caulfield.

Lindsay Park boasts nine Blue Diamond triumphs, most recently with Little Brose in 2023.

David Hayes, father of current Lindsay Park custodians Ben, JD and Will Hayes, holds the Blue Diamond record (six) while the late Colin Hayes succeeded on three occasions.

Ben and JD Hayes won the Blue Diamond in their second season in partnership with Little Brose.

Ben Hayes shared a Blue Diamond victory alongside father David and uncle Tom Dabernig in 2017 with Catchy.

Will Hayes could officially join the honour roll with Tycoon Star and Miss Celine both set to peak on Saturday.

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Lindsay Park will consider the possibility of Shining Smile, equal first in the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) last Saturday at Flemington, backing up into the Blue Diamond. The Golden Slipper in Sydney next month is now the more likely option for Shining Smile.

Tycoon Star finished fourth first-up behind Field Of Play in the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield.

“It wasn’t his grand final and we knew from wide gate we were going to get back,” Will Hayes said.

“We just had to piece our way through the field and I think with a little bit of luck he probably does get a bit closer from a better gate.

“He’s come out of it terrific and he’ll also be better second-up.”

Deep Field 2YO Field Of Play makes it back-to-back victories as he takes out the Blue Diamond Prelude for colts & geldings ⭐️@busuttin@blake_shinnpic.twitter.com/csbhz9yLbB

— Racing.com (@Racing) February 8, 2025

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The Yulong-owned Written Tycoon colt won the Group 3 Maribyrnong Stakes (1000m) on debut last spring and then placed fourth in the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes (1000m).

Lindsay Park has modelled Tycoon Star’s campaign on Little Brose in 2023.

Little Brose placed second in the Maribyrnong Plate on debut after over-racing in the first half of the race before winning the Merson Cooper.

Little Brose finished second in the Blue Diamond Prelude and then won the main event.

“Tycoon Star is probably a little bit more behaved in his racing mannerisms,” Hayes said.

“Little Brose when he was coming through was very raw.

“I’d say (Tycoon Star) is a more professional version of Little Brose but Little Brose probably had a little bit more of an electric turn of foot, there are similarities but also differences.”

Little Brose wins the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes for @lindsayparkrace & Mick Dee! 😍 pic.twitter.com/dH7vBREi5q

— Racing.com (@Racing) February 25, 2023

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Lindsay Park has framed Miss Celine’s campaign around last year’s Blue Diamond winner, the late Hayasugi, trained by Clint McDonald.

Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) winner Miss Celine placed fourth in both the Blue Diamond fillies’ Preview (1000m) and Prelude (1100m).

“We wanted her to be peaking third-up and as you see in her beaten margins it’s 5.5 lengths, 2.5 lengths,” Hayes said.

“She’s a horse on the up.”

  

The rise to 1200m should be ideal on Saturday. A middle to wider barrier could also suit.

“A good barrier is a good barrier but I don’t think a wide barrier would faze her,” Hayes said.

“The way she won the Debutant showed us her pattern is to ride cold and come around them.

“That’s when she runs her best and really does savage the line.”

Miss Celine’s sister Enbihaar placed second to Written By in the 2018 Blue Diamond Stakes.

Tycoon Star is rated a $13 chance for the Blue Diamond with Miss Celine at $26.

Field Of Play, My Gladiola and Palm Angel share top billing as $7 equal favourites.

Originally published as Blue Diamond dealers: Lindsay Park eyes 11th success in Group 1 blockbuster at Caulfield