Diademe Speeds to Track Record in New Zealand
Description:
The determined mare Diademe stormed to a track record-setting victory in the Fiber Fresh New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders' Stakes (NZ-I) April 4 at Te Aroha, earning her first win at the highest level.
Prominent throughout, Diademe won by a neck over stablemate Sports Illustrated and lowered the track's 1,600-meter (about one-mile) standard to 1.33.46. Her record improves to 7-4-4 from 25 career starts, including the March 4 Westbury Classic (NZ-III), a race she captured in 2013 at Ellerslie, and the 2013 Lady Norrie Stakes (NZ-II) at Te Rapa.
Arrow in the Sand and Moozoon vied for the early lead in the 16-horse field, with Diademe and Procurement hot on their heels. The leading pair swapped places halfway through while Diademe maintained her ideal tracking position. As the field rounded the home turn, Diademe was ready to rally when asked by Jonathan Riddell and shot away as the leaders dropped back. Sports Illustrated closed ground with every stride on tiring Diademe, who stubborn held on to her advantage to get the win.
Abidewithme finished third, 1 3/4 lengths behind the winner, with Atacama fourth and favorite Pondarosa Miss fifth.
Both Diademe, a 6-year-old daughter of Savabeel, and Sports Illustrated were bred by Waikato Stud, whose colors are carried by the runner-up, and both are trained by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman. Diademe was produced from the O'Reilly mare Bling, a full sister to the dam of multiple New Zealand group I winner Sacred Star.
Diademe is campaigned by Scott Richardson Bloodstock, which bought her from her breeder's consignment for NZ$50,000 ($35,455) at the 2010 New Zealand Bloodstock national yearling sale.
New Zealand riding great Noel Harris, 60, had his final career mount aboard Pondarosa Miss. He retires with 2,163 New Zealand winners, 34 New Zealand group I wins as well as eight in Australia, with the highlight the 1988 W. S. Cox Plate (Aus-I) aboard Our Poetic Prince. As for the next chapter, Harris will mentor aspiring young riders as part of a role with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.