Craig Williams admits that he will need a fair share of good luck from a wide barrier for Catchy to win the Group 1 $1.5m Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield today.

Catchy, above, has to overcome a wide barrier in the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes at Cauldfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Williams had the pick of five runners in the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes but chose to stick with the David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig trained Catchy after guiding her to three wins from three race starts.

But the barrier draw didn’t do the Fatsnet Rock filly any favours and she will jump from gate eleven in the field that has been reduced to fourteen runners following the scratchings of Azazel, Jukebox and Spoils.

Williams wrote on his blog that Catchy will be facing her toughest task to date and the wide barrier is of some concern.

“I ride CATCHY for David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig. She is three from three and she does remind me of Miss Finland ever since I sat on her for the first time,” Wiilliams wrote.

“She is such an honest and high quality filly taking on her toughest assignment and she does have to overcome a wide barrier draw but I expect her to handle all challenges in front of her. This is a very competitive race this year and with luck form the draw she can make it four from four.”

Catchy is undefeated from three race starts with Williams aboard on each occasion for wins in a 1000m Moonee Valley 2yo Plate on December 9, in an 1100m 2yo Plate at Caulfield on January 7 and in the Group 2 $200,000 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) for the fillies at Caulfield on February 11.

In a very congested market order for the Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au Catchy holds a slender grip on favouritism at $4.20 just ahead the Peter and Paul Snowden trained Pariah at $4.80 with Tulip, Property and Formality all on $7.