Flemington race three today saw six-year-old Diplomatic Force return to the winner’s stall and claim a good victory in the $75,000 The Big6 Handicap (1200m) in a nice win for trainer Wayne Nichols.
Diplomatic Force, a son of Oamaru Force, has had a career of mixed results suffering leg injuries and a number of unlucky runs in black-type races against tough competition.
Today a patient and well-timed ride by jockey Craig Robertson and the dry track conditions at Flemington saw Diplomatic Force break the drought and win their first race since the galloper took out the Group 3 RN Irwin Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville back in March 2009.
Race three was run down the Flemington straight and the increasing wind played a big part in the result as it was a slow speed for a sprint making it impossible for the back runners to get a chance including race favourite Avienus out on the far outside.
Kwassa Kwassa hit the lead early from Preventable with Peter Moody’s Returntosender settling into third.
As the pace eventually quickened in the final few hundred meters, Kwassa Kwassa was swamped and couldn’t hold on.
Diplomatic Force had travelled beautifully throughout and when Robertson hit the button he flew away and pounced with 150m left to run.
Kicking away well, when Diplomatic Force was let go it was all over for the other runners.
On the line it was Diplomatic Force ($11) a length ahead of Beligietto with Returntosender holding on to third.
Diplomatic Force has now won six of his 28 career starts, today’s prize money boosting his earnings to over $500,000.
The first group race on the Lightning Stakes Day card is up next with Flemington Race 4 – the $200,000 Group 3 The Mittys Vanity (1400m) due to jump 2:50pm (AEDST).
Get the best odds on The Mittys Vanity and our favourite to win #5 Southern Speed at Luxbet now.
2011 The Big 6 Handicap Results & Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Weight | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3 | DIPLOMATIC FORCE(5) | Craig Robertson | Wayne Nichols | 57.0 | 1-10.90 |
| 2nd | 12 | BELGIETTO(3) | Glen Boss | Peter Gelagotis | 53.0 | 1.0L |
| 3rd | 10 | RETURNTOSENDER(2) | Luke Nolen | Peter G Moody | 53.0 | 2.8L |
| 4th | 9 | I’M DISCREET(9) | Michael Walker | Russell Cameron | 53.0 | 3.5L |
| 5th | 13 | PREVENTABLE(6) | Craig Newitt | John P Thompson | 53.0 | 4.8L |
| 6th | 2 | PLAYWRIGHT(8) | Jordan Mallyon(a3) | Steve Richards | 56.0 | 5.3L |
| 7th | 1 | ORBIT EXPRESS(10) | Jake Noonan(a2) | Steve McKinnon | 57.0 | 5.6L |
| 8th | 11 | COUNT TO ZERO(1) | Brian Park | Robbie Griffiths | 53.0 | 5.7L |
| 9th | 17 | VERDASCO(11) | Nicholas Hall | Sean Mott | 53.5 | 5.8L |
| 10th | 8 | LUCKY THUNDER(7) | Dwayne Dunn | Danny O’Brien | 53.5 | 6.0L |
| 11th | 16 | SOPHROSYNE(14) | Glyn Schofield | Michael Moroney | 53.5 | 7.5L |
| 12th | 7 | KING HOAKS(12) | James Winks | Allison Bennett | 54.5 | 8.2L |
| 13th | 15 | KWASSA KWASSA(4) | Peter Mertens | Shane Stockdale | 53.0 | 8.3L |
| 14th | 4 | AVIENUS(13) | Craig Williams | Mark Webb | 55.5 | 8.5L |
| Src | 5 | MIDNIGHT MUSTANG | Brad Rawiller | Luke Oliver | ||
| Src | 6 | WE’RE GONNA ROCK | Michael Rodd | Mark Kavanagh | ||
| Src | 14 | SNIP ESPRIT | Glyn Schofield | John Symons & Sheila Laxon |
