TALENTED South Australian sprinting mare Diamonds will have to shoulder top weight to victory in Friday’s $150,000 Golden Topaz (1200m) at Swan Hill.
The Chris Bieg-trained mare is no stranger to carrying weight, having won with 60kg on her back early in his career, but it will be a different scenario over the border in Listed company on what looms as a bottomless track.
“She’s a big strong mare,’’ Bieg said.
“The 60kg isn’t a massive concern, but carrying that weight in the conditions with the track now a Heavy 10 might be a little different,’’ he said.
Diamonds, who enjoyed Listed wins twice at the end of last year, finished down the track behind Ruthless Dame in the Group 1 Sangster Stakes before showing good improvement second-up from a spell when she was beaten just 2.8 lengths behind Snapped in the Group 3 Proud Miss Stakes.
“It’s been a frustrating preparation to date,’’ Bieg said.
“We haven’t had a huge amount of luck. We want to see her finish off and hit the line like we know she can and I think she’ll be somewhere in the finish.
“She’s flying on the track, her trial was really good,’’ he said.
Bieg also takes stablemate Rose Ring to Swan Hill along with maiden Parsonage Lane and was buoyed by the fact Brad Rawiller’s manager was quick to get in touch regarding the ride.
“He’s a Redoute’s Choice three-year-old who appreciates the stronger riders,’’ Bieg said.
“I seen this race pop up, a restricted 2400m race and I thought it would be light as far as depth goes so when Brad’s manager was quick to call regarding the ride I was happy to go that way,’’ he said.
At home Bieg said he has a lot of time for Voltage Point who makes his debut in the opening race at Morphettville.
“He’s a nice horse,’’ Bieg said.
“I really liked him, even before the sale, I spotted him when we did a yearling tour and just loved him.
“He was a relatively cheap buy, he’s done everything right and he’s been jumping out well and trialled good at Murray Bridge the other day,’’ he said.
And he said Chosen Blonde was due to turn her form around later in the day.
“I had her in at Swan Hill as well, but on the third day on a heavy track on Sunday I pulled the pin there,’’ Bieg said.
“She’s drawn wide on the Parks, but that might work out OK come the last race of the day,’’ he said.