A pair of progressive three-year-olds have made their mark on the midweek meeting at Kensington and earned a shot at black-type races in the process.
Beautifully bred filly Darling Diamond took out the Sky Racing Active Plate (1400m) for trainer Mark Newnham, camping outside the leader and sprinting clear to score an impressive two-length victory.
A daughter of Pierro, Darling Diamond is out of 2014 Queen Of The Turf Stakes winner Diamond Drille.
Her sire and dam were both trained by Newnham’s former boss Gai Waterhouse during his tenure at Tulloch Lodge and he is rapt to be preparing their offspring.
Darling Diamond was bred by the Kolivos family, who raced Pierro and Diamond Drille.
“Mum and dad, I had a bit to do with, so it’s pleasing to get a win with her for the Kolivos family,” Newnham said.
“She is a lovely, well-bred filly who has kept improving the whole prep.
“Her first ever trial she showed a bit of talent straight away and we put her in the paddock.
“I think she will keep getting better so the autumn will be more her time but if we can get a Listed win before that it would be much appreciated.”
Newnham nominated the Listed Reginald Allen Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on October 17 as the target for Darling Diamond.
Another of Pierro’s progeny was to the fore in the second race when Private Cheetah scored for John and Gary Moore.
The colt finished runner-up to blueblood Argenteus on debut and went one better on Wednesday when he led throughout for Tim Clark.
Gary Moore said the stable had a nice opinion of the three-year-old and would look to raise the bar.
“He’s got a lot of ability and I’m sure he’s going to go on from today,” Moore said.
“We’re probably going to look at the Brian Crowley with him.”
The Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) is at Randwick on October 24.
