Diaquin by five!

Posted on Posted in News

What an extraordinary win by Diaquin at Ballarat on Monday 4 November.

We must admit, we were worried approaching the home turn as this lovely daughter of Sacred Falls looked to be struggling for a few strides when the pace quickened. But upon straightening and moving up outside her competitors, she cruised away in the heavy conditions to win by more than five lengths!

Diaquin (NZ) wins the Hewitt & Whitty F&M Maiden at Ballarat. (Ross Holburt/Racing Photos)
Diaquin (NZ) wins the Hewitt & Whitty F&M Maiden at Ballarat. (Ross Holburt/Racing Photos)

On the track at home and to some extend her three runs this preparation prior to Monday’s win, Diaquin has been showing some nice ability. Like any immature horse however, she is learning when and how to use that ability. Those few strides around the 600m mark, with the benefit of hindsight, was just Diaquin’s immaturity on show. Especially on the Heavy track.

It seems that it all clicked for her at the 400m! No doubt the application of blinkers also helped her. Nigel resists the temptation to add blinkers to young horses early in their career, preferring to let them learn about racing naturally without that artificial assistance. But after five race starts and a three good runs this preparation (2nd, 4th and 3rd), it was time to find that extra focus Diaquin needed to deliver.

Linda Meech has been riding in great form all season. Although having her first ride on Diaquin on Monday, Linda did not panic and just urged her along when she looked like she was floundering. These constant urges were a good tonic for Diaquin, giving her confidence and encouragement rather than negativity. It seems that once Diaquin balanced up she handled the heavy track with ease and responded well.

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This attractive grey filly is by Waikato Stud’s Sacred Falls, a young sire who has only had 28 runners so far. His progeny look the part and Nigel, together with the ownership group, were taken by many of them at the 2018 NZ Bloodstock National Yearling sale. This filly out of Pinot Gris (a winning mare by Pentire) was on our shortlist since seeing her at Waikato Stud in November prior to the yearling sale in January of 2018.

Waikato Logo

Looking for a filly, preferably grey, the ownership group led by Len and Lynette Reid and Ian and Karyn Lewis secured Diaquin in the ring and she has gradually strengthened and matured since. We have a feeling this is typical of Sacred Falls’ progeny, so look out for more winners by him in months ahead as they develop further in their three-year-old season.

Congratulations to owners, many of whom were at Ballarat for the win despite trying conditions!

(Ross Holburt/Racing Photos)
(Ross Holburt/Racing Photos)