Racing: Vasil happy with flying filly

MELBOURNE - Exciting two-year-old Psychologist has impressed trainer Tony Vasil with her recuperative powers as she attempts to win the Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday at her second start.

Vasil said Psychologist would be better for her 4-length Blue Diamond Prelude win against fillies on February 6 and he rated her a superior filly to his 2008 Blue Diamond runner Burgeis, who ran a half-length third to Reaan.

"I was really impressed the way she came out of that run [in the Prelude]," Vasil said.

"You wouldn't have known she'd had a run on the Sunday.

"It may not have appeared that she had a hard run but she ran time and when they run time it is not uncommon to see a 2-year-old take two or three days to get over it."

Redoute's Choice is the only horse to have won the Blue Diamond Stakes at his second start.

Vasil said Psychologist was both relaxed and tough, and he believed she was capable of emulating the former top colt.

"I thought she would win the Prelude but I was surprised she won like she did," Vasil said.

"She is going to derive great benefit from her first race experience and I dare say there is 5 per cent fitness improvement too," Vasil said. The daughter of Choisir smashed her rivals with her all-the-way win on debut but Vasil isn't committing to any race tactics just yet.

"It wasn't the plan to jump and run the other day but she did it herself on raw talent," Vasil said.

Unbeaten Blue Diamond Stakes favourite Beneteau will face 15 rivals on Saturday.

The Paul Messara-trained colt came up with barrier nine in yesterday's draw and will again be ridden by apprentice Daniel Ganderton.

TAB Sportsbet had Beneteau at $3.60 after the barrier draw with Psychologist the second elect at $6, despite drawing the outside alley.

The Leon Corstens-trained Tricky Tricky, to be ridden by Michael Rodd, drew the inside barrier.

Trainer David Hayes has three runners with fillies Shaaheq and Evidentia drawing six and seven respectively, while Encosta De Lago colt Legalistic has gate 12.

Hayes will make key gear changes to two of his three runners, resorting to one of his favourite tactics with Evidentia by ordering blinkers for her for the first time, while Shaaheq will wear winkers for the first time.

Hayes said any one of his three runners could cause an upset.

- AAP