Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
Talented six-year-old Star Of Diamonds ended a 20-month drought when she unwound a spirited late burst to win the Fireworks Pace for mares at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
It was an impressive victory which rewarded Busselton trainer Barry Howlett for his patience in caring for the big Bettors Delight mare after she had been laid low when she tied up after a fast workout several months ago and was out of action for ten months.
“She tied up really badly and lost a lot of weight,” said Howlett, who races Star Of Diamonds with his wife Lynley and their children Jim and Katy. “Everything just wasted away, so we just jogged her for a few months to build her up — and then she got very fat. She is still quite huge, and she’s only going to get better.”
Star Of Diamonds was a $12.10 chance from the outside barrier on the back line. The polemarker Free Wheeling ($9.50) led for the first lap before Jocelyn Young sent Cherishthememories ($11) to the front 1150m from home.
At the bell Kyle Symington had Star Of Diamonds pacing easily in seventh position in the one-wide line. She then sustained a powerful burst and went four wide on the home turn before getting up to snatch a head victory over Cherishthememories.
The $1.85 favourite Nevermindthechaos was restrained to the rear from barrier seven before she followed the three-wide run of Cherishthememories in the first lap to get her head in front at the 1200m. But she was unable to cross Cherishthememories, who took a clear lead with 1150m to travel. Nevermindthechaos fought on gamely to be a close-up third.
Star Of Diamonds was the highest-priced filly ($52,500) at the 2018 APG Perth yearling sale, and she now has earned $190,726 from nine wins and 20 placings from 53 starts. She is the first foal out of Maddy White, who had 51 starts for eleven wins, 20 placings and $110,824. Maddy White’s second foal is Floewriter, who has had 24 starts for ten wins, two placings and $152,511.
The win by Star Of Diamonds was her first since she won the Group 2 Breeders Stakes from Heavens Showgirl in May 2021. This followed her success in the Group 3 Races For Roses at her previous start. She had taken her time to develop, managing only three placings from 15 starts as a two-year-old.