Darley has the armament to win the Blue Diamond Stakes; it appears to be just a matter of deciding on the game plan.

Metastasio staked her claim yesterday after what was a brilliant win at Flemington in the 1100 metres of the Nursery Plate.

She bounced immediately to the lead once the gates opened, recording 1.04.08 for the trip, and was never pressed at any stage of the race

Her rider, Kerrin McEvoy, treated it as a walk in the park, that’s how it unfolded; she had far too much class for her rivals.

She opened up favourite with The Yowie, finally she was the one to shorten, it was an obvious decision when the horses paraded in the paddock.

Darley holds a strong hand in the Diamond, as 300 metres away from the start of Saturday’s race another hopeful, Montsegur, a last start winner at Caulfield, was in the stable ready to stake her claim on the $1 million prize.

She will more than likely get her chance in the Blue Diamond Fillies Preview, at Caulfield, on Saturday, when she is likely to meet Adelaide speedster, Miracles Of Life, who remains unbeaten after two runs, winning her most recent race by nine lengths.

At present the fillies appear to have a full hand, they are holding all the aces at present, the colts and geldings get their chance to strut their stuff in the Colts Preview.

Metastasio - Darley's speed machine