Written by Richard Edmunds
Black-type racing looms on the horizon for the beautifully bred Darling Diamond (Pierro), who recorded the first win of her career in Wednesday’s Sky Active Plate on the Kensington track.
Racing in the Lightning Thoroughbreds colours carried to Group 1 success by her sire Pierro and dam Diamond Drille (Al Maher), the 3-year-old filly had begun her career with a fourth at Gosford and a last-start third at Newcastle.
Ridden by Robbie Dolan in Wednesday’s 1400 metre maiden event, Darling Diamond sat outside the leader before taking control in the straight and kicking away for an emphatic 2l victory.
“She put the writing on the wall with her run the other day, that showed she’s got a bit of ability,” Dolan said. “She was able to jump well today from the outside gate, and I rolled forward and put her outside the leader.
“Tommy Berry was setting nice sectionals out in front, and I had a pretty easy time. I probably got to the front a little bit too soon, but she was going very well and she let down very strongly. She’ll definitely get out over further than this.
“She’s a very progressive filly. She’s done everything right every start. She’s just upped her game, little by little, every time she’s raced, and there’s no reason why she can’t go on and win some black-type races in the future.”
“She’s a very progressive filly. She’s done everything right every start. She’s just upped her game, little by little." - Robbie Dolan
Trainer Mark Newnham is likely to give her that opportunity in her next start, targeting the Listed Reginald Allen Quality at Randwick on October 17.
“Pleasing to get a win with her for the Kolivos family,” he said. “She is a lovely, well-bred filly who has kept improving the whole prep. We’ll give her a little chance in the Reginald Allen in a couple of weeks.
“She showed versatility today, she got on pace and relaxed well, so for her to go on and win by 2l is the start of a promising career. I think she will keep getting better and the autumn will be more her time, but a little Listed win before that would be much appreciated.”
Darling Diamond is the first foal out of Diamond Drille, who herself won five races including the G1 Queen of the Turf S. and G3 Aspiration H. She also placed in the G1 Coolmore Classic.
Pierro, sire of Darling Diamond | Standing at Coolmore
Diamond Drille is a full or half-sister to the stakes winners M’lady Pedrille (Al Maher) and Madame Pedrille (Secret Savings). M’lady Pedrille is the dam of the Listed winner Ragged Rascal (Denman).
Diamond Drille, M’Lady Pedrille and Madame Pedrille are all out of Damzelle Pedrille (Zoffany {USA}), who is a half-sister to the granddam of champion sire I Am Invincible.
After producing Darling Diamond in 2017, Diamond Drille’s subsequent foals have been Diamond Drummer (I Am Invincible) in 2018 and another Pierro filly last spring.
Pierro completed an early double on the Kensington card when his 3-year-old son Private Cheetah captured the second race of the afternoon, the Impending @ Darley H.
Ridden by Tim Clark for trainers Gary and John Moore, he dictated terms in front and held out Easifar (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai) in a tight finish. Private Cheetah has now had two starts for a win and a second placing.
