Well-bred Lionhearted chasing stakes win

Blue-blooded colt Lionhearted will return to Melbourne racing chasing a first victory in the Listed Redoute's Choice Stakes at Caulfield.

The David Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained Lionhearted is by Fastnet Rock out of the mare Scandinavia, the grand-dam of Black Caviar.

Lionhearted was unplaced in the Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield on debut before heading to Sydney for autumn carnival races.

After finishing second in the Group Two Skyline Stakes and fourth in the Pago Pago Stakes, the colt had his most recent start in the Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick when sixth on soft ground.

Hayes said the colt didn't like the rain-affected going last time.

"He ran a good second in a Slipper lead-up on top of the ground," Hayes said.

"So if we get nice firm ground, he'll be better."

Lionhearted is one of three two-year-olds Hayes and Dabernig have nominated for Saturday's 1200m-race along with last-start Sandown winner Highland Beat and last-start stakes winner Tris.

"Lionhearted will run and probably Highland Beat," Hayes said.

"Lionhearted's work has been very good coming into it and Highland Beat is in great form."

The Redoute's Choice Stakes has attracted 20 nominations.