Diesel being set for G1 Auckland Cup
The Byerley Park trainers have a Group 1 dream for the stayer, who took another winning step toward his autumn target with a commanding victory in the Bupa New Zealand Handicap (2400m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Diesel is now an $18 chance in next month’s Auckland Cup (3200m).
“We’re planning toward that and he’ll definitely run the distance,” Emma Clotworthy said. “He’ll most probably have one more run before the Cup.”
Versatility is another quality boasted by Diesel, who is a multiple winner on top of the ground and he had no trouble coping with the Slow 7 going at Te Rapa, where he was never headed.
“He likes to be out in front and dictating the race,” Clotworthy said.
The Electronic Zone seven-year-old travelled comfortably under rider Alysha Collett and they had their rivals in trouble some distance from home.
“In his last couple of wins he’s been in front and he’s got a high cruising speed,” she said.
“He doesn’t sprint, but from the 1000m he holds a strong gallop.”
They were clear on the turn and strolled home by four lengths from the favourite Blue Lagoon, who was in receipt of four kilos from the winner.
Diesel won the Dunstan Feeds Stayers’ Championship Final (2400m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day in similar fashion before he was unplaced in the Gr.3 City of Auckland Cup (2400m) when he was between runners.
“He doesn’t like other horses around him and likes to be out in the open,” Collett said.