Sweet Diamond wins for Stonewall

At the business end of harness racing’s Trainer’s Premiership, Sweet Diamond’s (Sweet Lou) win today chalked up another chance for Steve and Amanda Telfer as they fight for the top slot along with Mark Purdon and Hayden Cullen.

In the Cruickshank Pryde Mobile Pace, driver Tim Williams took the two year old to the front and although challenged by second favourite Treacherous Gall (Captaintreacherous) Sweet Diamond held on to win easily by four lengths from Wayward Angel (Rock N Roll Heaven). 

SWEET DIAMOND REPLAY

“Tim knew what he was doing, and he rated her perfectly. We’ve put most of the other two year olds in the paddock and decided to bring her down. She’ll head for her break on Monday,” Amanda said.

It’s been a stellar season for Stonewall’s two year old fillies with Kahlua Flybye, Forever Me and Aardiebytheseaside all finishing in the top bracket.

“I think with a nice spell she’ll come back better. She wasn’t far away from the others, and she did a lot of work in some of those races. She’ll be a nice horse next year.”

Telfer acknowledges the present pecking order is likely to change next season. 

“Aardiebytheseaside really stepped up from what she was early on.”

Amanda confirmed that the building of the first of two new barns on Jack Smolenski’s old property in Canterbury is underway and is expected to be finished in April. Once finished the building of the second barn will begin. Ultimately the horses will be split between three barns.

“I’m not sure how we’re going to do it, but I know I have my favourites, and they’ll be staying (laughter).”

Telfer said the stable is in the process of employing a new stable driver for the North Island but they’re not in a position to announce it yet.

Meanwhile Imperial Man (Imperial Count) caused a minor upset in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Gold Chip Final today.

The lightly raced three year old trotter owned by trainer John Ryan with breeders Craig and Jan Hamilton was driven inch perfect by the country’s leading reinsman Blair Orange, successfully getting up to beat a game Johns Boy by half a head.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart for Harnesslink