The first two races at Randwick on Wednesday on the Kensington track were won in good style by a pair of Pierro three year-olds with spring stakes goals on the agenda that were both bred by Greg and Donna Kolivos.
Prepared by Mark Newnham, three year-old filly Darling Diamond has obviously inherited a good bit of the talent of her parents Pierro and Diamond Drille, who were both raced with Group I success by her owner/ breeders Greg and Donna Kolivos.
Fourth and third at her first two starts, Darling Diamond is on an upward spiral and showed a neat change of gear over the final furlong to drop her rivals and win the 1400m fillies maiden by two lengths.
“It’s very pleasing to get a win with her for the Kolivos family,” said Mark Newnham, who had plenty of involvement with both her sire and dam in his years as assistant trainer to Gai Waterhouse.
“She’s a talented filly that has just kept improving, so we’ll look towards the Listed Reginald Allen (October 17) with her in two weeks time.
“She’s going to keep getting better and better. Autumn will be her time, but if we can get a little Listed win now before she goes to the paddock would be even better.”
Foaled and raised at Newgate, Darling Diamond is the first foal of Al Maher mare Diamond Drille, who won the Group I ATC Queen of the Turf Stakes and was also third in a Group I ATC Coolmore Classic.
Darling Diamond as a foal at Newgate - the apple of her owners eyes!
A sibling to stakes-winners Madame Pedrille and M’lady Pedrille, Diamond Drille comes from the family of champion sire I Am Invincible and has a yearling filly also by Pierro, but no foal this year after having a season off in 2019.
Winning the next race for Gary and John Moore in class record time was Pierro colt Private Cheetah who led all the way and was tenacious in scoring a half neck win over late closing Pride of Dubai filly Easifar to break the ice at his second start.
A $340,000 Magic Millions purchase for George Moore Bloodstock from the Newgate Farm draft, Private Cheetah was also bred by Greg and Donna Kolivos under their Lightning Thoroughbreds banner.
“All credit to George Moore for buying such a beautiful horse,” said Gary Moore indicating the Listed ATC Sir Brian Crowley Stakes at Randwick on October 24 was the likely next start for Private Cheetah.
“He has a beautiful disposition and is by a wonderful sire in Pierro.”
Private Cheetah as a yearling
Private Cheetah is the first foal of Tiare, a winning half-sister by Flying Spur to Group I placed stakes-winner Keen Array from the family of Hong Kong Group I winner The Duke.
Tiare also has a yearling filly by Pierro and was not covered last year.
A Golden Slipper and 2YO Triple Crown winning son of Lonhro, Pierro stands at Coolmore this spring at a fee of $137,500.
