What co-trainer Michael Hawkes described as “a little race on Derby Day for three-year-olds” is a possible target for Snitzel’s 84th stakeswinner Diplomatico after his defiant victory in the $150,000 ATC Brian Crowley S. 1200m LR at Randwick on Saturday.
That “little race” is the $1 million VRC Coolmore Stud S. G1, down the famous straight six at Flemington on 3 November. It’s a big step from Listed company, but the determined manner in which Diplomatico ran down his rivals after sitting three and four wide confirmed that he is a colt on the rise.
He is the third Brian Crowley winner for Snitzel after Goodfella (2017) and Hot Snitzel (2011), and Not A Single Doubt’s son Legend Of Condor completed the 2018 quinella for Arrowfield stallions.
Diplomatico is the fourth winner, after Havana (BTC Classic G3) and Hong Kong talent Jing Jing Win, from four foals out of juvenile winner and excellent broodmare Top Cuban (by Anabaa).
Co-incidentally, Top Cuban’s youngest half-sister Working From Home also earned black type on Saturday, when she was runner-up to From Within (by Not A Single Doubt) in the MRC Alinghi S. LR.
Top Cuban has since produced two colts by Redoute’s Choice and has an early positive test to his son Pariah, serving his first book of mares at Arrowfield this Spring.
All four of Top Cuban’s progeny offered at auction have sold well, up to the $1.7 million Hong Kong agent George Moore bid for him at the 2017 Inglis Easter Sale. Paul Favretto, who bred the colt with Paul Rowe, retains a share in the ownership alongside John Moore, David Boehm & partners.
While Flemington is an option for Diplomatico, Michael Hawkes indicated that the best of him won’t be seen until his next campaign. “He has a few grades to jump but it’s all up to him, he could be in the paddock as well. We’ll just take it step by step but I can say he’ll be some horse in the Autumn.”
Diplomatico is the fifth stakeswinner to emerge from Arrowfield’s Class of 2017, after Group 1 winners The Autumn Sun, Maid Of Heaven & Estijaab, and Listed winner Wild Planet.
– Arrowfield Stud
