Oltimers looking for an omen bet on Australian Hurdle and Steeplechase Day at Sandown could not go past Diwali who took a Stakes race on Sunday.
With the Australian Hurdle and Steeplechase taking naming rights at Sandown, the Listed Sandown Cup (3200m) was run for the second time transferred from its previous spring date.
The Sandown Cup was taken out by the Gavin Bedggood-trained Diwali while over 40 years ago a horse of the same name, prepared by Rick Hore-Lacy, won the 1982 Australian Steeplechase.
And for good measure, Bedggood was successful three times in the Australian Steeplechase as a jockey before switching his hand to training.
Ridden by Joe Bowditch, Diwali ($10) scored by 2-¾ lengths from the $2.80 online betting sites favourite Through Irish Eyes with Alma Rise $3.50) in third place.
Bedggood said Sunday’s race appeared at just the right time.
Diwali had been successful in a benchmark 58 grade race at Moe on April 25, before heading to the city where he finished fourth at Caulfield then running second at Sandown on May 21.
“He had been running well over a mile-and-a-half and this race was there,” Bedggood said.
“We thought it would be full of horses from the Andrew Ramsden and a few jumpers, but we were untried at the distance.
“We thought with the right run, it was worth a try.”
The Deane Lester Flemington Cup (2800m) on July 19 is expected to be Diwali’s goal following Sunday’s victory.
“We’ll probably send him to the beach tomorrow and give him a week to freshen up a little bit and then look for a 2500-metre run in between,” Bedggood said.
“We might go three weeks, three weeks into that race and use it as our final.”
Bowditch was returning to riding Diwali having partnered the stayer in his win at Moe.
“Can’t this bloke train a racehorse,” Bowditch exclained.
“I wouldn’t put anything past Gavin. I won a benchmark 58 on him three starts back and I wouldn’t say he was impressive enough to be here.
“But Gav’s a pretty good trainer, especially how he’s got him to settle and run the trip.”
