| Devil Night emerged as one of the new stars of Australian racing with a sensational win in today’s $2 million Group One Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield. |
| Having just his second lifetime start, the colt was able to withstand tricky conditions and being left in front a long way from home to register a stirring victory. The colt, prepared by Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, was sent out a strong contender after an eye catching debut third when second in the recent Blue Diamond Prelude at Group Three level. The result was a triumph for Yuesheng Zhang’s powerful Yulong operation with the famous bottle green colours not only carried by the winner, but also the third placegetter Tycoon Star. Devil Night made headlines earlier in his life when he topped the Saturday night session at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when breeder Kingstar Farm sold him for $1.4 million. “I won’t lie to you,” co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said. “I’ve just seen Vin Cox and I said, you don’t have to buy this one (as a future stallion).” “They certainly pay a lot of money for their horses. They paid a lot of money for this horse at the Magic Millions and to come out and win a Blue Diamond – wow.” “I’ve got to thank Yulong. They’ve only got five horses with us. It’s a great effort and you know what, I just love doing that with the big colts.” “That’s what this game has become now – the big colts division. I know I’m saying this as the winning trainer, but they’ve put up their money Yulong and they’re the biggest owners in the country.” “Mr Zhang is not going backwards in going forwards, so to be fair, he deserves every bit of success he gets because no one’s putting any more money into the game than him. He’s feeding a lot of families, including mine.” Hawkes said he went into today’s big race with a good deal of confidence, knowing the colt had improved from his debut effort. “I thought he’d be in the first four or five and I said to Mick (Dee, jockey), ‘don’t overcomplicate it, he’s a lovely horse’.” “He’s never been on him but he’s a lovely horse. He does everything right, he’s improved out of sight from his run the other day.” “I know it’s easy to say after the race, but you can ask Vin (Cox) what I said to him. I said, ‘mate, off his track work, he just wins on Saturday but he’s in a Blue Diamond, so I’m not getting too cocky. In a normal race he’d just win’.” “I’m not bagging Mick Dee but he probably could have waited 50 more yards. At the 100m I was screaming ‘where is that winning post!” “Winners are grinners and no one ever remembers what margin they win by,” Hawkes added. Dee said the race didn’t unfold as he initially expected. “A little bit differently than I anticipated. I thought there would be a little more pressure than that. I ended up outside the leader, basically by default. He was a little bit keen, travelled a little bit strong and he fought on well. Luckily he did.” “He gave a really good kick when I asked the question and really took off and got that winning edge. It was a credit to him. He was tough.” “We didn’t want it too much further. It would have been good if he could come back a little and relax, especially with cover, he would be better. He was too good.” “I think you could win from anywhere today,” Dee added. “You’re still facing the breeze out there, so it does make the effort even better.” Devil Night is another top liner for Newgate Farm’s sire sensation Extreme Choice (Not a Single Doubt) who won the Blue Diamond Stakes in 2015. He is from the unraced but top producing Shamardal mare Mischief Night. As well as Devil Night she is the dam of the Victorian and Queensland Group winner Our Playboy. Mischief Night, a daughter of Millie Fox Stakes winner November Flight, is a half sister to Group winners Pierata and Ashokan. She was purchased by Matthew Sandblom’s Hollymount Stud for $200,000 at the 2019 National Broodmare Sale. Devil Night’s win in the Blue Diamond Stakes capped a remarkable few months for sire Extreme Choice. His outstanding son, fellow Magic Millions purchase, Knight’s Choice won the two mile Group One Melbourne Cup. Winner: Devil Night Breeding: Extreme Choice-Mischief Night (Shamardal) Race: MRC Blue Diamond Stakes G1 (1200m) Sold for: $1,400,000 Sale: 2024 Magic MIllions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Earnings: $1,290,000 Breeder: Kingstar Farm Vendor: Kingstar Farm Buyer: Highway Farm Owner(s): Yu Long Investments (Mgr: Y Zhang) Trainers: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes (Flemington) |
