Diamond just getting better and better
John Moore's unraced youngster Sea Diamond continued to catch the eye with another fast-finishing turf trial at Sha Tin, and the trainer gave his Group One Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby-bound stablemate, Dominant, a solid workout later in the morning.
Sea Diamond was hand-picked by Moore at the 2010 Easter yearling sales in Sydney for A$200,000 (HK$1.66 million)
Yesterday with Tim Clark on top in a 1,000m jump-out, the three-year-old was allowed to loaf along early before lengthening nicely to run down the leaders in relaxed fashion.
He won by 31/4 lengths and the time (58.66) was smart enough given the apparent lack of effort. It follows another similar trial effort over 800m two weeks ago.
Giving the gelding something to chase was Tony Cruz's smart colt, Gold Ball, who bounced onto the track looking fresh and performed accordingly.
Matthew Chadwick let the three-year-old stride and he seems a likely type, bringing with him juvenile form from Europe, which will see him start off 88. Raced as Vladimir, he won four straight in Spain and France, two of them right-handed, before a third behind European two-year-old colt of the year Dabirsim in the Prix Morny on Arc day.
Finishing off nicely in third was the Sean Woods-trained Highland Dragon (Umberto Rispoli), who will have to trial again after the 66-rated import came out throwing his head and was slow away.
One of many Derby hopes for Moore, Dominant ran right up to finish a close second to Fat Choy Oohlala, with Beauty Flash an encouraging third after leading up the 1,600m heat under Gerald Mosse. Dominant sat second last, got going on the circle and wheeled up to the leader effortlessly, looking like he has gone on from his break-out third in the Classic Cup.
