Expensive yearling purchase Dubai's Choice will be aimed at the Group One MRC Blue Diamond Stakes next month after kicking off his racing career in perfect fashion with a tenacious win over 1100m at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

The Blue Diamond, which is worth a cool $1 million, will give the son of Redoute's Choice an opportunity to recoup some of the $1.8 million the colt cost connections as a yearling. Trainer Tim Martin, whose Bloodstock company is a stakeholder in the youngster, was thrilled with the manner of the victory.

"He wants to be a winner this horse," said Martin.

"They got along pretty fast so it was a nice win....he will improve lengths after today."

Dwelling slightly as the gates swung open, the two-year-old was hustled to the lead by jockey Zac Purton and proceeded to carve out some very slick first sectionals. Challenged several times in the straight, Dubai's Choice ($2.20 fav) kicked and fought on strongly displaying all the traits of a top-flight equine athlete, prevailing by a half neck from the fast finishing Strat's Flyer and the Kris Lees trained Absolutelyfabulous.

The form out of this race should prove to be strong as Fleur Royale, no slouch herself, was left in the winners wake and has form around the likes of Churchill Downs and brilliant Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Mirror Mirror. As for the Blue Diamond, it looks a perfect target for the stallion prospect at this stage of his preparation and will provide him with some valuable black-type should he be successful on the 25^th February.

Bred by Wilkes Thoroughbreds in Sydney and owned by a syndicate comprising Sheik Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Martin, and Arrowfield Stud, Dubai's Choice was selected by the Sheik's bloodstock agent Tim Stakemire at Easter.

Besides being an outstanding specimen, the price was a result of the duel affect of Danehill's premature death and the amazing racetrack performances of Redoute's Choice's second crop, especially his 2yo's, during the 2004/05 racing season - Easter last year was when the market first embraced Danehill's son as his heir and his progeny sold accordingly.

The leading matron in this story is Saucy Nell, an unraced daughter of Golden Slipper winner Marauding, Out of the Sharpen up mare Fancy Babe (USA), she is a half-sister to 6-time Group 1 winner Encounter - Dubai's Choice is her first foal.

Encounter, by Tierce, excelled during his two and three-year-old seasons, annexing the AJC Sires Produce Stakes, Caulfield Guineas, Futurity Stakes, George Main Stakes, Champagne and Chipping Norton Stakes. He also threw away further G1 glory when a certainty beaten in the Golden Slipper. Just as victory seemed assured, Encounter veered out sharply in the shadows of the post allowing Guineas to snatch victory.

Fancy Babe, who didn't begin racing until 4 years of age in the US, had 10 starts with two third-placings the best she could achieve.

Unfortunately for the breeding industry Fancy Babe died in 2000 with Saucy Nell her last triumph as a broodmare. But if Dubai's Choice is any indication of her talent as a broodmare then she is sure to do her mother proud.

© Cyberhorse 2010 Peter Mullen Published 28/01/06