Long Leaf Remains Unbeaten in Blue Diamond Preview

Fastnet Rock colt Long Leaf extended his unbeaten record to three-from-three in Saturday’s A$150,000 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) at Caulfield, raising his value well beyond his $750,000 price tag at the 2017 Premier Sale at Karaka.

The David, Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained runner had won both spring starts including the Listed Merson Cooper Stakes (1000m) at Sandown, and on Saturday he picked up where he had left off.

Ridden by Damien Oliver, Long Leaf sat in fourth place before bursting to the lead 200 metres from home and scoring by half a length.

"He was quite impressive today,” Ben Hayes said. “I thought on the line he was full of running, and we actually think he'll be better over 1200 metres.

"He's an unbeaten Fastnet Rock colt and he's a definite stallion prospect for the future now. I'd say more than likely he will go straight into the Blue Diamond."

The Group 1 Blue Diamond (1200m) will be held at Caulfield on February 24.

Long Leaf was bred by Caradale Pty Ltd and was offered by Curraghmore at the 2017 Premier Sale. He was bought by $750,000 by BBA Ireland.

Raced by Coolmore, Sir P J Vela, Mr D J Matheson, Mr M V Magnier, Dr D L O'Byrne and Mr M J Kirwan, Long Leaf’s three wins from three starts have earned him A$190,500 in prizemoney.