Racing: Banchee dazzles in Diamond

Leith Innes and Banchee, centre, sprint home in the Diamond Stakes. Getty Images

John Sargent had an indifferent 2010 Auckland Cup Carnival but yesterday was back doing what he does best - winning Group One races.

The Matamata trainer had the misfortune to have pre-post $1 million Auckland Cup favourite Passchendaele break down in training 48 hours before New Zealand's premier 3200m staying feature.

Sargent has been around the New Zealand industry far too long to become disheartened when losing a stable star to injury - that's just part of the training culture.

Exceptional 2-year-old filly Banchee delivered another dazzling home stretch sprint to score a narrow and well-deserved victory in the $200,000 (Group One) Diamond Stakes.

Banchee was wide with cover on the home turn and showed plenty of stamina and determination when it mattered, posting a head victory over the fast closing Cellarmaster. A further nose away in third position was Jimmy Choux.

All honours were with Banchee who produced a similar winning performance in her last outing, the Matamata Breeders Stakes.

VOSNE ROMANEE confirmed his ranking as the premier weight-for-age performer in the country posting an easy victory in the $200,000 (Group One) New Zealand Stakes.

The 7-year-old may not have the reputation of some thoroughbreds racing in New Zealand but he is an accomplished sit-sprint customer.

Vosne Romanee unleashed an effortless home stretch sprint to win by a length over Harris Tweed. A further long head away third was Tell A Tale.

The Jeff Lynds-trained star has accumulated an outstanding resume of weight-for-age wins this season - the Kelt Capital Stakes, Zabeel Classic and now the NZ Stakes.

CRAIG GRYLLS controlled the tempo in front aboard Calatrava in the opening event and the opposition suffered.

Grylls set a pedestrian pace on the Mike and Paul Moroney-trained 5-year-old, clinching victory with a blistering 600m sprint in 33.87 seconds.

Those runners not handy to the speed had no chance catching the first two placegetters.

Calatrava lasted gamely to win by a nose over Gallant who sat outside the pace makers throughout. A further 2 lengths away third was Nazabeel who made up ground stylishly from the rear.

It was always our intention to go forward and look for a sit against the rail as there wasn't much speed in the race, said co-trainer Paul Moroney.

I left it to Craig regarding how he wanted to ride her as this mare does have a good turn of foot. It was close at the finish as I originally thought the other horse may have beaten us.

LEITH INNES rode the perfect tactical race aboard Irish Opera to run the opposition into the ground in the $35,000 Open 1600m Handicap.

Innes punched the 6-year-old forward straight to the lead and put the pressure on his four rivals during the opening stages of the race, stealing a 10-length break.

That margin proved to be the winning of the race as Innes ran the sprint finishing ability out of the opposition - coasting over the closing 600m in 35.66 seconds - easing down to defeat Prince Kaapstad and Arlington (third).

Trainer Stephen McKee was full of praise for Innes who chose to employ daring riding tactics.

You never give a jockey riding instructions like that but full credit to Leith as he took the bull by the horns and out rode the other jockeys, said McKee.

He's a good rolling horse and in a small field like that it was the best place to be.