Diamonds Day – 10 years ago

The tenth running of Southern Harness Racing’s Diamonds Day will be held at Ascot Park on Sunday.

And it’s ten years since the Club initiated running the Southland Oaks, the Southern Supremacy Stakes, the Southern Country Cups Final and the newly minted Diamond Creek Farm Two Year Old Classic all on one day. This is now the norm.

Nevele R/Macca Lodge Southland Oaks Final

There was a touch of irony when Jonny Cox reined Smokin Bird (Bettor’s Delight) to win the $45,000 Group Two Nevele R/Macca Lodge Southland Oaks Final.

Smokin Bird’s regular driver Matty Williamson was sitting out a suspension after he and Cox had had a speed dual at Omakau.

Both drivers were given suspensions but Cox received dispensation to drive on Diamonds Day because of his association with Jaccka Justy and he was able to pick up other drives including Smokin Bird, on the Oaks Final.

“He (Williamson) sent me a text and said well done. I said there was a method behind my madness at Omakau and we had a bit of a laugh. It was just one of those unfortunate things. But he had plans he wanted to commit to and I had my plans to. It sometimes works out in funny ways but I’ll definitely take it,” said Cox.

Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes Final

The Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes was won by the Clark Barron trained I’m Full Of Excuses (Jereme’s Jet).

In the Group Two feature I’m Full Of Excuses briefly sat in the one one but was left parked with 1700 metres to run. He got cover for the last lap as favourite Tas Man Bromac came forward. When leader Smithy began to retire, Nathan Williamson shot Tas Man Bromac to a two length lead at the top of the straight, but Barron and I’m Full Of Excuses wore down the favourite, winning by a nose.

Earlier in the day Barron drove his 1000th winner when Flight Deck (Jereme’s Jet) won the Olphert Contracting Mobile Pace.

In typical Clark Barron style he was relaxed about reaching the milestone.

“I wasn’t too worried. The family was egging me on but I was pretty relaxed because I’d given myself a target to get to by the end of the season. It was going to happen. I’m tickled pink to get it,” he said after the win.

Southern Country Cups Final

The Geoff and Jude Knight trained Al Raza (Gotta Go Cullect) won the Bmac Sheetmetal 2005 Ltd Southern Country Cups Final in 2015.

Given the perfect trip on the outside by driver Tim Williams, the four year old mare let down nicely in the home straight and was too strong for Sheeza Shark winning by a length and a quarter.

El Raza was owned by the Central Courage Syndicate.

Diamond Creek Farm Two Year Old Classic

2015 saw the first running of the Diamond Creek Farm Two Year Old Classic.

Hot favourite Lazarus (Bettor’s Delight) trained by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen won by two and a half lengths from Three Ways.

Driven by Tim Williams the two year old colt settled back from his wide draw, circled the field at the 1500 and won easily.

Other winners on the inaugural Diamonds Day were Experiment, Tessa’s Rocket, Macys Blue Chip and Even Flo (all driven by Dexter Dunn) and Flight Deck, Milligan and Sweet As.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink