Gypsy Diamond missed a start in the Doncaster Mile as the second emergency, but a Group Three win at Randwick has ensured she will soon get her chance at a Group One race.
Trainer John O’Shea said, all going well, the filly would take her place against the fillies and mares in next Saturday’s $1 million Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m).
Gypsy Diamond, James McDonald - Sharon Chapman
The $2.70 favourite for Saturday’s Carbine Club Stakes (1600m), Gypsy Diamond gave her supporters an early scare when she was slow out of the barriers.
But James McDonald kept his cool and produced her in the straight, where she stretched out well on the heavy track to put two lengths on Casino Dancer ($26) with Rock Sturdy ($6) also making ground late to run another half length third.
“I thought she would have acquitted herself very well in the Doncaster, so it was great to get her on the board today,” O’Shea said.
He praised McDonald’s ride and said the fact she carried top weight of 57kg added further merit to the win.
McDonald said he had to just keep picking up ground early after Gypsy Diamond came out slowly.
“I didn’t have a lot of options,” said.
“I just kept tagging up and pinching ground.
“I was pretty lucky I was on a good horse that weaved her way through.
“It is very hard work on the heavy track. It’s like running in a 2000 metre race when you’re running in a mile.”
Part-owned by former Australian Jockey Club chairman Ron Finemore, Gypsy Diamond is one of the horses which will go to Peter Snowden next month when O’Shea replaces him as head trainer at Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley Australia.
“All Ron’s horses will go to Peter Snowden and I’m sure they’ll be well cared for as Peter is a great trainer,” O’Shea said.
