A capacity field of 14 plus one emergency has been confirmed to line up for a tilt at the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1300m) at Royal Randwick this weekend, highlighted by several previous winners at the highest level of Australian racing.
Diamond Drille has been confirmed in the final field for the 2014 Toy Show Quality. Photo: Steve Hart
Charging home to win the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) on Day 2 of The Championships, trainer Gai Waterhouse has confirmed Diamond Drille will return to racing in the 2014 Toy Show Quality.
Securing five wins and one minor places from just 10 competitive starts so far, Diamond Drille returned to racing in February for a less-than convincing fifth in the Group 3 Triscay Stakes (1200m), and while appearing to be well and truly outclassed when eighth in the Group 3 Wiggle Stakes (1400m) on March 8th, responded in the best way possible in charging home to win the Group 3 Aspiration Quality (1600m) just one week later.
Running on to finish a credible fourth in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m), the Al Maher mare jumped at odds of more than $40 in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes, but completed a near-perfect run to finish half a length in the clear of fellow Toy Show nominee Gypsy Diamond.
Allocated the ideal barrier 2, Diamond Drille will be partnered by regular jockey Tommy Berry and is more than a chance of success.
Also returning to the track in peak condition this year, Gypsy Diamond finished second in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) first-up on February 22nd,continuing to build in form and class on her way to a strong victory in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) and second in the Queen Of The Turf.
Pleased with the way the Not A Single Doubt mare has returned to racing, new trainers Peter And Paul Snowden are expecting an even greater campaign from Gypsy Diamond through the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival.
Also confirmed to make a her racing return in the Toy Show Quality this weekend, Lucia Valentina will have to overcome the awkward barrier 13, but will be boosted by renowned jockey Hugh Bowman, confirmed to partner the four-year-old for the fourth time.
Returning to racing in career-best form through the 2014 Autumn Carnival, Lucia Valentina finished third behind fellow Toy Show nominee and stable mate Thump in the Group 2 Surround Stakes (1400m), and while appearing to be well-and-truly out of her class when 12th in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) on March 22nd, broke through for a maiden victory at the highest level of Australian racing in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) just one week later.
Returning to the paddock after finishing third in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) on April 19th, trainer Kris Lees has revealed Lucia Valentina will target the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) this time in.
Disappointing when failing to beat a single runner home in the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) on August 9th, Lees is confident Thump will be far better for the first-up run, but is less convinced by the four-year-old’s allocation of barrier 11.
Securing three wins and as many minor places from 15 starts so far, Thump received a huge amount of from punters in the lead-up to the Light Fingers Stakes first-up in February, but was unable to handle the late pace, finishing seventh.
Returning to the winner’s circle in the Surround Stakes a fortnight later, the Red Ransom mare was unable to handle the late pace of Spirit Of Boom in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m), but ran on to finish a fighting fourth amongst classy competition in the Group 2 Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200m) on April 19th.
David Vandyke-trained runner Lesley’s Choice has been confirmed as the sole emergency for the 2014 Toy Show Quality.
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2014 Toy Show Quality Final Field
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | H Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 121x58141x | DIAMOND DRILLE | Gai Waterhouse | Tommy Berry | 2 | 59kg | 106 |
| 2 | 8320x3008x | DEAR DEMI | Clarry Conners | Kerrin McEvoy | 6 | 58.5kg | 105 |
| 3 | 61F2x3013x | LUCIA VALENTINA (NZ) | Kris Lees | Hugh Bowman | 13 | 57kg | 102 |
| 4 | 154x24912x | GYPSY DIAMOND | Peter & Paul Snowden | – | 10 | 56.5kg | 101 |
| 5 | 317x7184x9 | THUMP | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 11 | 55.5kg | 99 |
| 6 | 4380×36342 | BENNETTA | Grahame Begg | Jeff Lloyd | 5 | 55kg | 98 |
| 7 | 290222110x | NEENA ROCK | John Sargent | James McDonald | 14 | 54kg | 94 |
| 8 | 212431141x | INTIMATE MOMENT (NZ) | Ron Quinton | Sam Clipperton | 1 | 54kg | 89 |
| 9 | 585×211203 | KRISTY LEE | Chris Waller | – | 7 | 54kg | 86 |
| 10 | 44x1865x74 | ANGEL BEE (NZ) | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | – | 3 | 54kg | 81 |
| 11 | 558x080x18 | GOLD EPONA | Kris Lees | – | 15 | 54kg | 80 |
| 12 | 18112×43 | MISS PROMISCUITY | Anthony Cummings | Jason Collett | 9 | 54kg | 79 |
| 13 | 07×4194223 | MY SABEEL (NZ) | Kevin Moses | Glyn Schofield | 8 | 54kg | 77 |
| 14 | x70661150x | SUCH A PRINCESS | Kerry Parker | Ms Winona Costin (a) | 4 | 54kg | 75 |
| 15e | 34x212x61 | LESLEY’S CHOICE | David Vandyke | – | 12 | 54kg | 73 |
