Five-horse races can sometimes be an awkward proposition for a hot favourite, but The Diamond One is on track for the Canterbury Breeders' Stakes after a win at Wingatui yesterday.
The Tale Of The Cat mare settled at the back of the small field, and once her jockey, Chris Johnson, worked her out to a gap in the middle of the track, the $1.40 win price was looking as safe as a Swiss bank vault.
Her trainer, Steven Anderton, admitted to some nerves as Johnson muscled his way in to the slim gap which presented itself, but was pleased with the way she let loose once she was clear.
''[Chris] was a bit game coming up in the middle,'' Anderton said, ''but she levelled out really good.
''He suits her because she can get a little mouthy. He's got good hands.''
Yesterday's win over 1200m was just the tune-up The Diamond One needed as Anderton gets her ready for the $55,000 fillies and mares' feature at Riccarton on November 13.
''She'll go straight to the [Canterbury Breeders' Stakes]. That gives us three good weeks before then.''
One trainer who knows a good mare when he sees one is Stephen Blair-Edie.
The Riverton trainer raced Miss Maximuss (11 wins) from Michael Pitman's stables, and the recently-retired daughter of Castledale was recently served by Pins. Blair-Edie is a fan of the sire Castledale, and it is easy to see why after Golden Castle won a 1400m maiden yesterday.
The 4yr-old mare came south from Matamata trainer Graham Richardson after causing problems at the start of her races.
''She just had barrier issues and she's just been maturing and growing into a racehorse, really,'' he said.''
She'll get a mile. She's out of a mare [Capital Gold] that won over a mile.''
Heroic Guru's problems are more of the male variety.
The Gallant Guru colt - a full brother to Valiant - backed up his strong second on debut at Gore on September 30 by winning a 1100m maiden by a neck over Alessio, who produced an eye-catching run for second.
Co-trainer Brian Anderton would like to see the 3yr-old take on the south's best in the southern guineas races early next year.
''He's just a bit colty at the moment. Hopefully we'll get him through that.''
Rider finedRiverton jockey Rebecca Black was fined $450 yesterday after admitting to a charge of striking her mount, Braehill, forward of the shoulder several times in the rating 65 2200m.
