THE 2800-metre distance of today’s $150,000 listed Bagot Handicap at Flemington holds no fears for King Diamond, according to his trainer Jarrod McLean.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
King Diamond has had three runs for the Warrnambool trainer and he believes the six-year-old is ready to tackle the distance.
“He’s been building up to the 2800 metres. I thought he finished off his last start in the Werribee Cup over 2600 metres in good style,” he said.
“I’m sure the 2800 metres will suit him. King Diamond has a fifth placing in the 2011 Adelaide Cup to his credit and that race was over 3200 metres so I’m not worried about running over 2800 metres.
“I would think some of his rivals might not run out the 2800 metres but we’ll have to wait and see how the race is run.”
McLean said he was confident King Diamond’s form from the December 16 Werribee Cup was stronger than what his rivals have to offer.
“We’ve got to run against Unusual Suspect and I’m Jake again,” he said.
“They ran first and third in the Werribee Cup. The race was a blanket finish and we ran second. I’m confident the winner will come from that three.
“Top jockey Steven Arnold, who rode him in the Werribee Cup, put his hand back up for the ride in the Bagot.”
McLean added King Diamond would have a brief let-up after today’s run before being set for the $200,000 Warrnambool Cup on Thursday, May 2.
Other Western District-trained horses running at Flemington today are Snapparazi and Rilelilmag for Hamilton trainer Barbara Marshman, while Camperdown mentor Geoff Daffy has Lady Chopin running.
