The $2 million Five Diamonds is anything but an afterthought for Lindsay Park raider Rise At Dawn, his trainers confident the race is an ideal fit for the dual stakes winner.
Co-conditioner Will Hayes says Saturday’s Rosehill feature has been earmarked for the gelding for some time and the rails draw has only enhances his chances.
“This was our spring grand final,” Will Hayes said.
“It’s an incredible race, the Five Diamonds, being restricted to five-year-olds at set weights and penalties.
“We felt it was the perfect profile, and we think he’s going to thrive at the 1800.”
Rise At Dawn has a terrific strikerate with eight wins from 20 starts and has performed admirably at his only two appearances in Sydney.
Beaten less than a half-length when fourth to Stefi Magnetica in the Doncaster Mile (1600m) in April, he was again game when leading and defeating all but Waterford in the Shannon Stakes (1500m) two starts ago.
Subsequently freshened, Rise At Dawn was third at his final lead-up run in the Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day when Hayes said he struggled on the tight-turning track.
However, back to the wider expanses of Rosehill the stable expects him to be hard to beat.
“His run in the Doncaster was nothing short of exceptional and that’s going to stand him in pretty good stead,” he said.
“The biggest thing we’re pleased about is we’ve drawn tactically a good barrier, and it should play right to his advantage.
“We think his best runs are when he can bowl and sustain a high speed like he did first-up this spring when he was beaten by Café Millennium (in the Tontonan Stakes).
“He didn’t quite handle the Valley as well as we hoped (last start). He crabbed around the bend and he’ll be suited to the bigger track.”
