Blondie wins on debut at Moonee Valley (Image: Racing Photos)
Blondie threw her name into the Blue Diamond Stakes conversation, the half-sister to Divine Mr Artie putting in an impressive debut for trainer Brendan McCarthy in the Sweeney Estate Agents Plate (1000m).
While the supposed pick of the juveniles tested their mettle in the Blue Diamond Previews at Caulfield on Australia Day in $150,000 events, Blondie took home the comparatively meagre $22,000 cheque - but McCarthy was pleased with his decision to scratch from his home track and head to the Valley.
Damien Oliver got the ride on Blondie after McCarthy's usual go-to man Chris Symons already booked on the Henry Dwyer-trained Byerley Diva, and Symons' luck wasn't present on Friday.
WATCH: Blondie's impressive debut
Dwyer's filly was a late scratching, and Symons - who trialled Blondie - lost two mounts at Werribee as a result of the photo-finish equipment debacle that caused an hour-plus delay, and a crucial clash with the start of the Valley card.
"Poor old Chris has missed out again," McCarthy rued.
"He trialled her the other day, but he had to take the ride on Henry Dwyer's horse who ended up a late scratching, which was really unfortunate for him.
"We decided to take this race on rather than the tougher one yesterday, and we'll try and teach her a bit on the way."
McCarthy said the daughter of Reward for Effort almost missed the race herself, too, but once at the races, was as calm as a first-starter can get before saluting by 1.75-lengths from luckless favourite Zarpoya.
"Coming from that gate [seven of eight] was always going to be a worry," McCarthy pointed out.
"She was beautiful and relaxed today.
"She had a bit of a mishap in the pool at Caulfield this afternoon, and it was a bit of a worry.
"She had a bit of skin off, it was touch and go if we'd run tonight.
"Scratching her from yesterday has worked out well; I think it was a pretty smart race yesterday too.
"She was probably shaken up a little bit more than what I wanted to see that day [in her January 17 jump-out].
"I thought with what she'd done, she was doing everything so comfortably, she'd have done it easier.
"The time was good, and she's improving every time."
Blondie clocked a winning time of 58.17 seconds, within one second of Sweet Emily's 1000m track record at the Valley of 57.19s.
McCarthy said he will now head towards the Blue Diamond Prelude with Blondie, in the hope to get her into the $1.5million Blue Diamond.
Prior to debut, Blondie was as much as $151 in the Blue Diamond with CrownBet. That was quickly whittled in to $41 after her debut.
WATCH: Winning jockey Damien Oliver