Fillies Eyeing Diamond Prize
Spots in next Friday night’s Group 2 Diamond Classic (2130m) go up for grabs in two heats this evening, where Wonderful To Fly is the star attraction.
The Shane Young-trained filly is a commanding $1.07 favourite with TABtouch for the Retravision Diamond Classic Heat One (2130m) and looks well placed to continue her winning ways.
A winner at 15 of 25 starts, including her last four, Wonderful To Fly has drawn barrier four in the field of nine and Young said he expected a similar result tonight.
“Everything seems really good with her,” Young told TABradio.
“She’s a dominant filly.
“If she performs to how she has been, I’d expect her to win.
“It’s a process of managing her, getting her right and keeping her happy.”
The Sarah Wall-trained Dontbesillychilli is on the next line of betting in the opening heat at $12, following a strong win at Gloucester Park last Tuesday.
WATCH – Dontbesillychilli’s win last Tuesday
Wall, who has secured Gary Hall Jnr to drive Dontbesillychilli, conceded the filly may have to do the work and said she would be surprised to see Wonderful To Fly get beaten.
“It’s a pity the barriers weren’t changed for a bit of help,” she said.
“I think we will wait and see how the race is being run, but I can’t imagine anyone wanting to put too much pressure on Wonderful To Fly.
“I think we may end up outside her at some point.”
Wall also has Make Your Mark in The Running Camel-Diamond Classic Heat Two (2130m), where she looms as one of the main players.
The Somebeachsomewhere filly has drawn barrier one in her heat and will be out to make it two consecutive wins following a short break.
Wall said she expected Make Your Mark, to be driven by Emily Suvaljko, to make the most of the good draw.
“It’s handy for her to be able to draw there,” she said.
“She’s a good frontrunner and gets away well.
“She does her best work there, so our plan would be to lead.”
Make Your Mark is on the second line of betting with TABtouch at $4, with the Aiden De Campo-trained Sovrana a $1.45 favourite.
Catch The Red Eye is the only other runner in single figures at $7.
Tim Walker
Image – Hamilton Content Creators