Race experience counted as the Clinton Mcdonald-trained Hayasugi entered Blue Diamond Stakes calculations with a last-stride win at Caulfield.

Hayasugi in Japanese means 'too early' but there was nothing of that about Jamie Kah's ride as the two-year-old by Royal Meeting wore down the Robbie Griffiths and Mat de Kock-trained Tobeornottobe to claim the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for filles.

She was one of only two runners with race experience after a second-placed debut at Moonee Valley in the Restricted Listed Inglis Banner (1000m) on Cox Plate Day and a fifth placing in the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes (1000m) on VRC Oaks Day.

"She's made a lot of improvement," McDonald said.

"She came here off one trial – quite a soft trial – and she was meant to have another trial but they got cancelled with wet weather.

"There's a lot of improvement to come and I thought it was a really good win."

McDonald said that settling off the pace and making a late run suited the filly.

"She probably petered on her run a bit late but she was tough enough to win," he said.

"Race day experience, you can't beat it."

He noted that the filly would be more suited to the 1200 metres of the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes on February 24 than the 1000 metres on Friday.

"We don't want her to be ready too early," McDonald said.

Hayasugi ($5.50) won by a short-head over Tobeornottooe ($6) with the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Matisse ($5 equal favourite) a long-neck away in third.

All being well, Hayasugi will progress to the Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) on February 10.

A $47,500 purchase at the 2022 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, Hayasugi was passed in at the 2023 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale after failing to meet a $20,000 reserve.

Hayasugi gave Leneva Park's first-season sire Royal Meeting his first winner.

She is rated an $11 chance for the Blue Diamond Stakes.