Midweek stakes racing at Warwick Farm with The Agency Civic Stakes (1400m) transferred from the washed-out Randwick meeting, proving the perfect spot for a maiden stakes success for the admirably consistent Diamond Diesel.
It was an emotional win for trainer Adam Duggan and jockey Andrew Adkins but was not achieved without some drama.
The 7-year-old son of Mosman was hopelessly blocked in when under a stranglehold in the straight. When the gap appeared, Diamond Diesel scythed between runners to defeat the Galileo Gold import Estadio Mestalla by just under two lengths with the Reliable Man mare Essonne back in third.
With his stakes breakthrough, Diamond Diesel advanced his record to eight wins, three seconds, and three thirds from 21 starts with earnings of $542,475.
Diamond Diesel was sold to Hong Kong after winning a barrier trial at Rosehill in January 2020. He had one start for Casper Fownes before fracturing a shoulder and returning to Australia.
Duggan credited Mark Newnham for gaining Diamond Diesel.
“A massive thanks to Mark. He passed these owners on to me as he had so many horses while he was here,” Duggan said.
“The fact that he had been left so long and matured, all he needed was to learn a little racecraft. He always had the ability, but with more experience, he just kept raising the bar.
“He is the best horse I have had. He fills you with so much confidence - just leave him alone and space his runs.
“Big thanks to Chris O’Brien, who rides him work and does a fantastic job. He wouldn’t be winning these races without him.”
Diamond Diesel was a $65,000 purchase for Hawkes Racing from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2018 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Completing a successful day for breeder Echo Beach Bloodstock, Diamond Diesel best of three winners for the big Brown (USA) mare Malacca Cane, a half-sister to Group II MRC Caulfield Autumn Classic winner Stockhouse (Anabaa) and Listed winner Malasun (Red Ransom), the dam of the Listed BRC Calaway Gal Stakes winner Malaboom.
Malacca Cane has a weanling colt by Saxon Warrior (JPN).
Diamond Diesel is the 53rd stakes-winner for the Vinery Stud stalwart Mossman, who was retired in 2018.
