Exciting Snitzel colt Diplomatico is beginning to live up to his $1,700,000 million price tag with a maiden stakes success in Saturday's Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
Ridden by Koby Jennings, the Hawkes Racing-trained colt defeated Legend Of Condor ($21) by three-quarters of a length with The tenor (Your Song) one and a half lengths back in third. (photo Steve Hart)
"He jumped well and they ran along at a bit of a clip and when they pulled up anchor, to Koby's credit he didn't panic," co-trainer Michael Hawkes said.
"He just popped him out and kept a lapful of horse. He has great hands and let him go through his gears.
"As long as he pulls up OK we will look at the Coolmore on Derby day," co-trainer Michael Hawkes said.
Racing in the colours of Hong Kong-based John Moore, Diplomatico advances his record to two wins and a second from three starts with earnings of $157,450.
There is no disputing his dam Top Cuban can leave a good-looking foal, her first four foals have averaged over $962,000 in the sale ring.
The first date for the daughter of Anabba was with Starcraft and she left a colt that made $290,000 at the Magic Millions to the bid of Blue Sky Thoroughbreds.
That colt was named Havana who won the Group III Fred Best Classic at Doomben in 2014 and was third to Criterion in the Group II Todman Stakes when trained by Paul Messara.
Sent back to Starcraft, Top Cuban produced Jing Jing Win, a $360,000 Easter yearling purchase for the Hong Kong Jockey Club who won a couple of races for David Hall.
After missing for two seasons, Top Cuban foaled a Redoute's Choice colt named Eltizaam who was knocked down to Shadwell Stud For $1.5 million at the 2016 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Then came Diplomatico (pictured as a yearling) who was knocked down to George Moore Bloodstock for $1.7 at the 2017 Easter Yearling Sale.
Top Cuban has a 2yo colt and yearling colt by Redoute's Choice and was covered by Snitzel last spring.
Diplomatico becomes the 84th stakes-winner for Snitzel, an unbackable favourite to defend his champion stallion crown following the win of Redzel in the $13 million The Everest at Randwick.
