Stonewall looking for feature double

Harness racing powerhouse Stonewall Stud will be looking for a Diamonds Day double on Sunday at Ascot Park Invercargill.

Sweet Diamond (Sweet Lou) has the formline and the credentials to win Sundays $45,000 Group Two Macca Lodge/Nevele R Southern Oaks.

Trained by Steve and Amanda Telfer and Hayden Cullen the classy filly has won her last three starts and is the top qualifier for the series finale.

“Her last couple of runs have been really good. She can do work mid race and make her own luck. I don’t think the 2700 metres will be a worry because she seems to be a staying type,” Amanda said.

Sweet Diamond will be handled by Tim Williams. She’s drawn two on the second line and will follow out noted good beginner Sister Cherie (Bettor’s Delight). The Telfers won last year’s Oaks with Ardie’s Express (Always B Miki).

Unbeaten in five starts, Ohoka Connor (Sunshine Beach) will start favourite for the Group Two $45,000 Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes. He draws gate one in the 2700 metre colts and geldings feature.

“He’s well after his run the other day. We’re actually going to take him into Invercargill on Friday and give him a run. We haven’t really asked him to run off the gate. It’ll be interesting because we usually let him settle then come around them. I think he’s got speed (coming) out and I think he’d run the gate okay it’s just that we’ve never asked him to. But there’s always a first time.”

Outside the Group races the Telfer/Cullen barn has a number of others entered.

In Race One first starter Shapely (Bettor’s Delight) draws wide at gate six. She’s had two trials, coming away with a win and a second.

“She’s trialled up quite nicely. She a typical Bettor’s Delight filly and does what she has to, we just thought it was a nice race to start her off in.”

Lewy Maguire (Sweet Lou) ran fourth on debut at Addington after sitting parked and battling on well. He draws the outside on the front row in Race Two.

“Blair (Orange) took him around and sat parked. He didn’t shirk the task and was still there at the finish.”

Impressive first start winner Elizabeth Hill (Muscle Hill) represents the stable in Race Four. She won by three and a half lengths at Winton just over a week ago without the deafeners being activated.

“She went well at Winton. She now has to take on the more race hardy trotters. She’s got her share of ability and with a bit of luck she’ll be in the finish but it’s always harder when you step out of maiden races.”

Cya Art (Art Major) rounds out the Telfer/Cullen day in the Regent Car Court Southern Country Cups Final starting off the ten metre mark. He ran a distant third behind Franco Norton (A Rocknroll Dance) at his last start at Winton.

“I thought his run last week was really good. He’s a quick beginner and he’ll put himself into the race. We’ll just leave the rest up to Timmy (driver Tim Williams).

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink