Second Oaks heat win to Sweet Diamond

Three year old harness racing filly Sweet Diamond (Sweet Lou) looks to be the main contender for the Nevele R/Macca Lodge Southern Oaks after scoring an easy win in today’s (Mar. 18) heat at Wyndham.

Driver Jonny Cox settled her off the pace early before sending her forward with 1200 metres to run. She found the lead and went down to the finish line to beat Beach Day (Sunshine Beach) by a length and a quarter with Treacherous Gall (Captaintreacherous) running home nicely for third.

The winning time was 1-53.8. The track record for three year old fillies for the distance is held by Watch Me Now (He’s Watching). Her time of 1-53.3 was recorded in January 2020.

“Once we hit the front, she was happy to bowl along. I didn’t think we’d gone 53 (1-53) but she does get over the ground well for a filly that’s not overly big,” Cox said.

Today’s win was her second in the series and Cox said he felt she’d improved from her Oamaru win ten days ago.

“That run (Oamaru) did her the world of good. Her track work between Oamaru and today had been turned up and she’s a lovely wee filly.”

SWEET DIAMOND REPLAY

The $45,000 Southern Oaks Final at Group Two level will be run over 2700 metres on Diamonds Day at Ascot Park on Sunday 23rd April.

“I think the distance will suit. They all have to run it. As I said the other day she relaxes in her race and if she does that over 2700 metres she’s got a pretty potent finish.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink