Sweet win

Bruce Stewart Contributor

Harness racing mare Sweet Diamond (Sweet Lou) returned to winning form in the $20,000 Southern Belle Speed Series heat at Ascot Park today.

Her last win was at Addington in April last year.

“We just lost her there and she wasn’t going as good as she should. She had a few niggly things and had some hard racing. She raced against Millwood Nike a few times which can break your heart. She’s just starting to hit her straps again so we’re happy. She’s a nice filly in her own right,” said Amanda Telfer who trains the mare with her brother Steve.

In today’s 1700 metre mobile driver Tim Williams took her to the top but was challenged to get there by Advance Party who had similar ideas.

“She has got a bit of gate speed. We drove her at her last start hoping that she’d run on, and she did that beautifully. So we were quite happy to give it a go today and let her rip to the front.”

Sweet Diamond leading with a lap to run (Bruce Stewart Photo)

Tayla Me was also up at the challenge inside the last 800 metres.

“A couple had a look at her and put the pressure on down the back but to her credit she dug deep.”

Sweet Diamond showed tons of tenacity to hold off a late spirited challenge by Advance Party to win by half a length, running the journey in 2-01.8 (1-55.2 mile rate).

Sweet Diamond winning at Ascot Park (Bruce Stewart Photo)

Now both Kalua Flybye and Sweet Diamond have won heats of the series and Telfer says both horses will be looking for another heat to ensure they qualify for the final.

The next heat will be run at the Young Quinn Raceway on March 16^th with the $40,000 final at Winton on April 13^th.

The win extended the Telfer’s lead in the National Trainers Premiership over last season’s winners Robert and Jenna Dunn.

“It’s a long season but we’re really happy with how we started. Steve wanted to get a flyer. I think we’ve accomplished that, and we just have to keep it up.”

Amanda says the Canterbury based stable has thirty two year olds while in the north her brother Steve has twenty five.

She said that with the two year olds coming through as well as the three three year olds that didn’t quite make it last year, plus older horses also in training, they hope to have the numbers to give them a chance at winning the Trainers Premiership.

Amanda labelled Bettors Anvil (Bettor’s Delight) as a two year old to watch out for. He was a $95,000 purchase to last year’s NZB Standardbred sales.

“He’ll be at the trials in a few weeks. He’s a really nice two year old. The bloke that was here today (Franco Ezra) is good too, but the occasion got to him. He’ll be back.”