Diamond Tonique To Challenge Distance Test In Broome Cup
17 August, 2018
WA Country Cups
A horse with a sprinting reputation is rated one of the major chances in the $150,000 Broome Cup (2200m) on Saturday.
Diamond Tonique has not won a race beyond 1800m, but trainer John Gangemi is optimistic the son of Planet Five can overcome a distance query.
“What impresses me about him is his recovery and heart rate,” Gangemi told Tabradio.
“He always has a low heart rate and maybe this horse can stay.
“We’ve upped his work in the last couple of weeks and he goes to the beach every afternoon.
“He will be there and hopefully fight out the finish.”
Gangemi said Gloryland, last year’s Broome Cup winner, is the obvious threat to Diamond Tonique after scoring a thumping win in the Kimberley Cup (2020m) two weeks ago.
Gloryland, prepared by Sean Casey, produced a stunning performance when he took off at the 800m and defeated Diamond Tonique by a whopping 10 ¼ length margin.
Gangemi hopes there will be more pressure applied to Gloryland in the Broome Cup.
“He likes to have his own way,” Gangemi said.
“One must remember he is a good horse who loves Broome.
“But my bloke has taken a liking to Broome and I’m happy with where he is at.”
Diamond Tonique ($2.65) and Gloryland ($2.25) are fighting out Broome Cup favouritism.
Simone Altieri, who partnered Gloryland to victory in last year’s Broome Cup, says she hopes to maintain her success with the gelding, but remains cautious.
“He is a special horse and that run (Kimberley Cup) was fantastic,” Altieri said.
“To come out and win by 10 lengths is pretty impressive.
“But it can turn around on the dirt pretty quickly.
“The start before he ran out the back so it can happen.”
Altieri said she expects to angle across from barrier eight and race forward on Gloryland
“I don’t think we will change much,” Altieri said.
“Why change what works.
“He is obviously a nice front running horse.
“He has trained on well and there is no complaints from me.”
Julio Santarelli