While David Hayes appears to be in a pivotal position to have an impact in some of Australia's finest two-year-old races this autumn, he will not commit to two of his most gifted two-year-olds starting in the $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes in late February.
Despite Tulip now being the $9 favourite to take out Victoria's most important juvenile event, the trainer warned that plans for her and Formality are "not set in stone".Â
![Certain starter: Catchy will run in the $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes in late February.](http://web.archive.org./web/20171231110226im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/w/9/s/c/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtw983.png/1485053811533.jpg)
While Hayes' Euroa property boasts a stunning line-up of two-year-olds, the exact placement will remain a mystery.
Formality looked every bit a group 1 class youngster following her effortless win at Werribee recently and her 4½-length winning margin was another reason that the Blue Diamond was made a possible target.
Hayes said the owners of Tulip and Formality, the huge Coolmore operation, will decide early next month on the Blue Diamond Stakes.
Tulip will start in Thursday's Blue Diamond Preview at Caulfield and will not start again until the Blue Diamond, while Formality will start on Saturday week.
However, Hayes did confirm that his other Blue Diamond aspirant, Catchy, a winner of both her two starts and $11 second favourite for the Diamond, is a certain starter.
"Catchy will certainly be there but nothing is certain with Tulip or Formality. I've had talks with Coolmore and the situation is that only one of the two will run in the Blue Diamond," Hayes said.
"It will mean that one will stay for the Diamond and the other will be sent to Sydney for a Golden Slipper preparation.
"It's a nice problem to have, to have so many good fillies, but we want to place them to their best opportunities."Â
Tulip appeared to stumble at the start at Moonee Valley when making her debut, a point not lost on Hayes who said he was deeply concerned seconds after the start.
"In no way was that part of the plans, I told the owners that she would win and suddenly she's back last," he said.
"But what did impress was the way she quickly went around them with 300 metres to go and soon after straightening had the race in her keeping. She's an exceptional filly with exceptional talent."
Formality is a $17 chance but her price will significantly alter.
Meanwhile, group 1 winner Ferlax has died at Haunui Farm in New Zealand after a paddock accident.
Ferlax, the winner of the 2013 Australian Guineas, began stud duties in 2014 and his first yearlings will be sold at Karaka at the end of the month.
"We are quite devastated," Haunui Farm managing director Mark Chitty said on the stud's website.