Racing: Class filly promises thrilling speed test

Important fact No 1: don't judge Love Diamonds debut win at Trentham entirely on face value.

Not that there was too much wrong with it as the magnificently bred filly won by 1 1/2 lengths, running 1000m in 57.07.

But there was a fraction of a suggestion it was a touch below the level of her three barrier trial wins.

There was a reason - it was Wellington Cup day and Love Diamonds spooked at the marquees and crowd inside the running rail.

And that wasn't just during the race.

She was so distracted by the movement inside the rail she was reluctant to do a preliminary.

Leith Innes was left with little option but to push Love Diamonds through a gap inside the leader in the home straight and the filly all but refused.

Innes drove harder and she finally grabbed the bit and went on to score easily.

In a different scenario that might have been a three to four length victory.

That does not mean tomorrow's $100,000 Robin, Duke Of Bedford Breeders Stakes at Matamata will be easy.

The class is way up this time and the No 14 barrier draw in a field of 15 catches the eye right away.

Love Diamonds has such brilliant speed under normal circumstances she could jump and clear the field, even from No 14, but the country's fastest juvenile, Mi Jubilee, has drawn inside her and looks certain to lead.

Which means Love Diamonds will either end up in the trail, or if the field does not open up, parked outside Mi Jubilee.

The trail would be the perfect sit, but being parked outside the speed would make it considerably more difficult to repel fast finishers such as Pulcinella.

Trainer Stephen Autridge said not since the first barrier trial has Love Diamonds been allowed to show her considerable early speed, but this time there is no option.

That extreme speed sometimes makes it more difficult to get a line on how a horse is progressing.

"She always works well," says Autridge.

Trainer Don Sellwood said he is very pleased with the way Pulcinella has come back up since being spelled after her dashing $50,000 Westbury Stud Eclipse Stakes win on the final day of the Auckland Cup carnival.

"She had 10 days in the paddock and looks really well. She is normally a good trackworker and she has worked up lovely."

It is interesting that Pulcinella has drawn barrier No 1. Strong finishes from mid-field have characterised her races, but this time she will probably have to be ridden more forward.

"I suppose we've got to use the draw a bit, but Noel [Harris] is riding her and you know what he's like. He's got a clock in his head - he knows where they're comfortable and I won't be telling him anything. You leg him up and leave it to him.

"But I'd be happy if she was fourth or fifth on the rails."

Co-trainer Richard Yuill is happy with Promethean going into the race after a completely luckless run last time.

"She's ticked over very well. She's got a nice draw and all we want is some luck.

"That was a phenomenal effort to get up and finish third after she slipped badly at the start at Ellerslie last time."

Yuill said rider Opie Bosson felt Promethean jumped from the barriers a fraction too well and spread herself. She came from last mid-race to finish third.

Breeders Stakes

Love Diamonds is one of four or five hugely talented fillies attempting glory.

The barrier draw makes the contest interesting.

Love Diamonds has drawn No 14 and one of her main rivals Pulcinella will come out of No 1.

Speed freak Mi Jubilee will set up a great race.