Mama’s Choice turned up the heat for the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes with an awesome victory in the LR Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

Mama’s Choice (2f Redoute’s Choice – Red Hot Mama by General Nediym) surged home to score in emphatic fashion. “I knew it would be difficult on debut from the wide barrier,” trainer David Hayes said. “But she’s hit form at the right time and will be right in the Blue Diamond.”

Hayes kept 8 youngsters alive when third declarations for the Blue Diamond on February 25 were taken last Wednesday. Bookmakers have Mama’s Choice on the third line of pre-post betting at $8 behind Malasun ($6) and fellow Redoutes Choice filly No Looking Back ($7).

Champion Arrowfield sire Redoute’s Choice claimed the 1999 Blue Diamond and is searching for his third win as a sire after Undoubtedly (2005) and Nadeem (2006).

Arrowfield stallions have won 5 of the last 7 Blue Diamonds. Flying Spur sired Sleek Chassis (2007), Hussonet made it four in a row courtesy of Reaan (2008) and Starcraft weighed in with Star Witness (2010).

Redoute’s Choice has sired 8 stakes winners this season to take his career total to 81. His latest is a homebred for GSA Bloodstock owner Jonathon Munz but the victory highlighted the ups-and-downs of the breeding industry.

Mama’s Choice is from Listed VRC Ottawa Stakes winner Red Hot Mama. The dam is a half-sister to G1 winning filly Hollow Bullet and she foaled colts by Redoute’s Choice and High Chaparral after Mama’s Choice.

Red Hot Mama was bred back to High Chaparral in November but she died on January 7.