He didn’t have much luck in the Group 2 Ingham a fortnight ago, but the John O’Shea-prepared Diamil ($8) has made amends taking out the $200,000 Group 3 Summer Cup at Royal Randwick.
It was a genuinely run affair with Grandslam setting a hectic tempo in front over the staying test of 2000m, but come the 300m mark they were eight and nine across the track in a bustling go.
Second past the post, Berdibek ($26) cut across runners over the final section and ended up losing that position to race favourite Sky Lab ($4.80F at UniBet), who was inconvenienced over the last 200m. Stablemate to Diamil and Berdibek, Lion’s Roar also suffered interference late and was unlucky to have not finished closer. The steward’s report is sure to be a lengthy one.
Stable representative Tom Charlton didn’t know where to look over the concluding stages, with all three of their runners having varying degrees of luck in the straight.
“He’s (Diamil) been promising to win a good one all preparation, and he got the right run in transit today,” Charlton said.
“It was a bit sad seeing the stable favourite (Lion’s Roar) just get collared. (He) was in a bit of trouble on the inside. He’s had a good preparation to get him back from a tendon injury.
“It’s another credit to the whole team and everyone’s put in a lot of work.”
Being a nine-year-old Berdibek impressed Charlton, despite being wayward at the finish and being relegated to third.
“He’s a credit to the stable. He’s nearly run a career best there,” Charlton said
“It’s just that scenario of giving him space and letting him run into it.”
With this being Diamil’s first attempt at the 2000m, jockey Jason Collett was aware of ensuring his mount would have enough in the locker at the business end. The son of Awtaad was on the far outside of the pack and missed all the trouble in the straight.
“There was a bit happening quite early, the pace seemed genuine enough through the middle stages,” Collett said.
“When (Berdibek) made that early move (I thought) I can’t be flushing you out at the 600m and try and out-tough you. He’s been in a few wars and my horse, it was his first time at the trip.
“It was just making sure he saw it out. He’s had enough in the tank late.”
