Jockey Rachel King is optimistic that the mare Oh Diamond Lil, despite her “weirdo” tendencies, is mentally prepared to perform at her best in the Mona Lisa Stakes at Wyong. King partnered the David Pfieffer-trained galloper when she achieved her most notable success in the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle last spring.
While the six-year-old’s subsequent form has been inconsistent, King suggests this is more a reflection of the mare’s temperament than her physical condition. “She’s a bit of a weirdo but the guy who has been riding her work has done a really good job with her this ‘prep’,” King said. “She’s still got her ways about her, but when she’s on the track she has been more relaxed than ever.”
King elaborated further, “At the moment they’ve got her in a really good headspace and she’s back to firing like she was when I was last winning on her. She’s fit and healthy and looks great. She has done plenty of work, she’s had good, solid trials and she’s ready to go.”
Oh Diamond Lil has not raced since finishing a close fourth in the Magic Millions National Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June. However, she has won both of her recent trials and boasts a strong record when resuming from a spell.
Bella Montagna, King’s mount in the Wyong Gold Cup (2100m), is also coming off a campaign in Queensland, which included a second in the Premier’s Cup (2400m) and a fifth in the Brisbane Cup (3200m), both behind Alalcance. This residual fitness means Bella Montagna is expected to be a strong contender.
“Distance-wise, it’s the right trip for her (first-up) and I’m sure coming from Gai and Adrian’s she’ll be fit enough first-up,” King commented. “She is definitely improving and she has each prep. Even last prep, she improved throughout the whole preparation.”
She added, “I was pretty confident going into a Brisbane Cup it would suit her. She probably didn’t quite see out the two miles trying it the first time, but I think she’ll benefit a lot from it and she’s the kind of mare who can get over that trip eventually. It will be interesting to see how she’s come back having had that little bit of a break. I think she has probably strengthened up a bit.”
King hopes to recapture the magic of 2020 when she won the Wyong Cup-Mona Lisa Stakes double with Paths of Glory and Asiago. For those interested in the Mona Lisa Stakes, exploring the available racing betting markets at online bookmakers is recommended.