Darley stalwart Lonhro gained a late G1 Blue Diamond Stakes prospect at Caulfield on Saturday when Lyre accounted for a strong field of fillies in the final lead-up to Melbourne’s juvenile feature.
Lyre had signalled her ability when fifth at Flemington on debut and confirmed it when she won at Sale at her next start.
In Saturday's G2 Blue Diamond Prelude, she showed she was up to Stakes level, overcoming a wide run to score by a long neck from Vincunca with another Godolphin filly, Athiri, in third place.
Trained for Godolphin by Anthony Freedman, Lyre is now among the leading prospects for the $1.5 million Blue Diamond run at Caulfield on Saturday, 23 February.
She is Lonhro’s 81st Stakes winner.
Lyre is out of Erato, a half-sister by Street Cry to the G1 winner and Darley stallion Impending and to the good filly Epidemic who are also by Lonhro.
Third placegetter Athiri, yet another by Lonhro and a winner at her only previous start, raced three-wide without cover and is also heading toward the Blue Diamond.
