Sprint king Joe Pride has been thrilled with the condition of Diamond Oasis this time and is confident the five-year-old is perfectly placed in Saturday’s Listed Doveton Stakes (1000m) at Sandown.
Diamond Oasis is primed for a big performance in Saturday’s Listed Doveton Stakes at Sandown. Photo: Sarah Ebbett
Diamond Oasis returned to racing this time for a credible fourth in a Warwick Farm minor over 1000m on October 5th; progressing to second in a Moonee Valley sprint at 955m on October 24th but failing to beat a single runner home in less-than ideal conditions at Rosehill last time out a fortnight ago.
Pride believes the classy son of Lonhro should be forgiven for his most recent start and told Racing Ahead he will relish a return to his pet distance of 1000m for the 2015 Doveton Stakes.
“He’ll be coming down,” Pride said.
“He’s a horse who has successfully travelled down to Melbourne in the past, really consistent, specialist 1000m horse and I’m sure he’ll be hard to beat on Saturday.
“He’s got one run beside his name which is a real forgive run – it was on a heavy track, lost one of his shoes and really didn’t get any traction.
“Back on top of the ground and it’s his first go at Sandown … he’s in good order and James Winks has been booked to ride him.
“Whenever he’s at his specialist distance he runs really well. We sort of took him beyond that last start the 1100m on a heavy track with a big weight and it was just too much for him.
“More things back in his favour this run, I’ll be expecting a really god performance from him.”
Diamond Oasis has been a strong and consistent performer for Pride since debuting to racing in early 2013; posting six wins and a further eight minors through a total of twenty-four competitive starts.
Returning to racing this year for success over a talented field in the Camarena Quality (1000m) at Canberra on March 8th, Diamond Oasis progressed to third behind Platelet and Gregers in the Jeep 55 Second Handicap (955m) before a trip north heralded a credible seventh in the Listed Bribie Handicap (1000m) on the Sunshine Coast.
The 2015 Doveton Stakes final field and barrier draw is due to be completed and released by midday, Wednesday.
