Quality three-year-old filly Queen of Diamonds picked up the second stakes win of her career when victorious in the Gr.2 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes (2100m) at Hastings yesterday.
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained filly was sent forward early from her outside gate (barrier 11) by jockey Matthew Cameron tosettle outside pacemaker Miss Labasa.
The daughter of Savabeel remained prominent throughout before Cameron presented his charge perfectly at the home turn where she was able to account for her opposition with ease, winning by 1 lengths over Shezathink with Imelda Mary running home late for third.
Forsman was full of praise for Cameron after the race and said removing blinkers from his filly benefited her early in the run.
"He summed the situation up. She began well and he just took control of the race and she ended up getting the perfect run. It was a brilliant ride."
Queen of Diamonds will now head to Trentham next month where she will contest the Gr.1 NZ Oaks (2400m).
Queen Of Diamonds now shares the lead in the lucrative NZ Bloodstock Filly of the Year series with Imelda Mary. The blueblood filly has been installed as a $3.20 favourite for the Oaks, ahead of Imelda Mary at $4.
