Diamond warm-up for Lindsay Park juveniles

The Lindsay Park stable has assembled one of its strongest band of two-year-olds in a number of seasons.

And up to five of the juveniles could be contenders in next month’s Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield, Melbourne’s premier two-year-old race.

At Caulfield on Thursday the stable has two of its team contesting important Blue Diamond lead-ups, the Previews over 1000m.

Impressive debut winner Tulip runs in the fillies division and has been posted $2.50 favourite while Wait For No One is $3.20 favourite in the division for the males.

Senior Lindsay Park trainer David Hayes said Tulip and Wait For No One were bound for the Blue Diamond, a race he first won in 1991 with Canonise and most recently with Reann in 2008.

The stable’s other likely runners are the undefeated Catchy, Werribee winner Formality and Geelong winner Will’s Bid.

That trio will contest Blue Diamond lead-up races in the next fortnight before the $1.5 million grand final on February 25.

Tulip stamped her credentials at Moonee Valley on December 31 when she reeled in Pure Emotion after sitting at the back of the field.

“The plan has always been to go into the Blue Diamond third-up,” Hayes said.

“I would say she’s improved after her first win and she’s ready to go on with it.”

Wait For No One was a debut winner at Caulfield during the spring before finishing third in the Maribyrnong Stakes at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week.

Hayes says he has flourished during his break.

“He’s an improved horse from the spring and we haven’t seen the best of him yet,” Hayes said.

Hayes says Catchy, a winner at Moonee Valley and Caulfield, will have her next start in the fillies Blue Diamond Prelude on February 11 while Will’s Bid heads to the males division the same day.

Formality, a daughter of Singapore triple crown winner Jolie’s Shinju, is scheduled to have her next start in the Chairman’s Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on February 4.

“At this stage they’re all heading towards the Blue Diamond but it could change,” Hayes said.

“Depending on what happens we may swing a couple of them up to Sydney.”