In mirroring the tactics that paid off for Oh Diamond Lil last spring, trainer David Pfieffer seeks to notch the handsome mare a new stakes win in the Hawkesbury Crown.
The five-year-old charged clear leading every step to annex the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle first-up in September, and Pfieffer anticipates a rerun over an equivalent distance upon her Hawkesbury return Saturday.
“She looks good, and her first-up record is quite good,” Pfieffer said.
“She won first-up at Scone last year, and when she won the Tibbie at Newcastle she was first-up.
“I think she is well placed.”
A progeny of So You Think, Oh Diamond Lil has flourished in Pfieffer’s care, with seven conquests in 17 starts.
As well as her Newcastle stakes coup, she was narrowly beaten by less than three lengths from Stefi Magnetica, a multiple Group 1 hero, in The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick come October, and fourth to Verona Rose in the Inglis Bracelet (1600m) at Flemington a month on.
Pfieffer holds high hopes for her current preparation, at minimum matching prior form, with designs on enhancing her profile starting Hawkesbury.
Second-up target is the Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone May 16, en route to Queensland winter targets including potentially the Magic Millions National Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm June 6.
“She’s got a lovely string of races coming up for her,” Pfieffer said.
Pfieffer’s Warwick Farm team has shone, with 11 wins and 16 places from the past 50 starters, not least impressive newcomer Call Me Zeus at Kembla Grange Wednesday.
Recent 20 runners: five winners, eight placers.
“Everything is racing well. If they’re not winning, they’re running placings,” Pfieffer said.
“Probably too many seconds for my liking lately.
“But as long as they’re racing well, running up to their mark and winning prizemoney, they’re keeping their owners happy.”
Favourite status belongs to Oh Diamond Lil at $3.60 in the Hawkesbury Crown (1300m), ahead of Surfin’ Bird ($4.60) for NSW bow after four-from-six in Victoria, and Chidiac ($5), Country Championships Final scorer.
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