Diamonds leads the way
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Diamonds Am I stormed to victory at Eagle Farm (Noel Pascoe photos) |
Diamonds Am I hit the front early in the Lyndhurst Stud Handicap Class 6 and stayed there for the 1000m sprint race at Eagle Farm on the weekend.
Jockey Ken Pope was keen to use barrier one in his favour and was rewarded with Diamonds Am I (M4 Catbird-Material Mover) storming to victory for trainer Kelly Schweida.
The mare always looked the winner in the 16-horse field beating Covet Gold (Lacey Morrison) by one and a quarter lengths followed by Socialist (Stathi Katsidis) a further half a length behind.
“From the one alley the other day I instructed Ken Pope to drive her out of the gates and lead and just look for the better going down the middle,” Schweida said.
“She’s done that a few times and she’s got a good record at Eagle Farm.
“That’s her normal pattern (going to the front). The start before we thought she would go good but she drew a bit awkward and she got interfered with soon after the start. That hindered her progress of going forward so she was back mid field but she ran a nice fifth.”
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Winning trainer Kelly Schweida |
It was the second win for Diamonds Am I at Eagle Farm and her third career win from 19 starts including a Black Type placing and over $177,000 in prizemoney.
“She’s Black Type placed in the Sir Douglas Wadley (Listed, 1200m) and the owner Kevin Dixon is a breeder so it will be good for him (when she goes to stud),” Kelly said.
Schweida had Diamonds Am I ready to return to the track after a spell when the Equine Influenza hit.
“She had six months out when she was nearly ready to race when the EI struck so we had to put her out,” he said adding that “she’s got a good fresh record and we’re doing a few different things with her this time.”
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Claire Power – February 18
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