Pierro - New Winner

Trainer Clinton McDonald recorded his second G1 MRC Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) victory in the last three years when his Magnus filly Streisand further improved off a last start success in the G2 MRC Blue Diamond Prelude (F) to take out Caulfield's $2m juvenile feature by three quarters of a length.

What a difference three weeks has made in the life of rugged stayer Final Return.

Minutes after 60/1 shot Power Beau won the Listed SAJC City Of Marion Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville to become the 28th stakes winner for Darley’s Brazen Beau, the Michael Freedman trained Cinsault won the G2 ATC Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill to become the 29th stakes winner for her sire.

With the betting suggesting the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable would win the $750,000 G1 MRC Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday, it was the outsider of their two runners in the race that produced the goods as Too Darn Hot 4yo Tropicus was simply too strong.

The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton trained Pierro filly Candlewick was a touch of class on show at Randwick on Friday contesting the Benchmark 64 event over 1400m and she duly saluted to make it two wins from three starts.

The Michael Mehegan trained Bossy Benita broke her maiden on February 26 last year and 12 months on the four year-old So You Think mare is now a stakes-winner after scoring a bold front running victory in the $200,000 Group III MRC Mannerism Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton trained Pierro filly Candlewick is bred to be well above average as a half-sister to Everest winner Classique Legend  and looks set for a good campaign after kicking off with a first up win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

Never further back than fourth in his five starts since joining the Bjorn Baker stable, Godolphin’s 6yo Street Boss gelding Pericles secured his first G1 victory, winning the MRC Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, becoming the third elite level winner for his dam.

The $400,000 Group II ATC Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday offered up a mouthwatering selection of some of the most desirable three year-old colts in the country, but the victor was a gelding that has more owners than all the other runners put together.

Really coming into her own last time in with back to back stakes victories highlighted by an almost six length victory in the G2 MRC Sandown Guineas (1600m), Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman’s Sheza Albi returned in emphatic fashion on Saturday, winning the $300,000 G2 MRC Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m).