Trainer John O’Shea had three leading chances in the Group III Chandon Summer Stakes at Randwick, with Diamil (IRL) and Berdibek (FR) sweeping down the centre of the track to fight out the finish while better-fancied stablemate Lion’s Roar was being bounced around like a pinball.
A solid pace set by Grand Slam set the race up for the swoopers. In a dramatic finish Diamil (IRL) (Awtaad), under Jason Collett, edged Berdibek (FR) (Dark Angel) by a short neck. Skylab (Real Impact) rallied after a chequered run in the straight to be a half-head back in third.
Carrying the colours of Richard Pegum, Diamil (IRL) was a promising performer in Great Britain for Ralph Beckett, making a breakthrough win at Goodwood prior to his importation.
In an up-and-down couple of seasons, the son of Awtaad (Cape Cross)won the Listed Members Hcp (1600m) on Doomben 10000 day in May and added a race at Randwick on October 22 before a close-up fourth behind Ellsberg in the $2,000,000 Five Diamonds and Rosehill.
Midfield in the Group II Ingham at his most recent start, Diamil (IRE) advances his record to five wins and four seconds from 17 starts with earnings of $434,343.
“It was a bit sad the old stable favourite just getting collared, but Diamil has been promising to win a good race all preparation,” stable representative Tom Charlton said.
“He got the right run today, and it was a good result all round. Lion’s Roar had some trouble on the inside, so they all ran well.”
Bred by The Aga Khan, Diamil (IRE) is the only winner to date out of the Mastercraftsman mare Diylawa a half-sister to Listed winner Di Fede (Shamardal) and Listed winner Dibayana (Shamradal), who was second to Winx in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes and to Hauraki in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap.
