Nassak Diamond created history at Warrnambool on Sunday when becoming the first New Zealand-trained horse to win the Jericho Cup (4600m).
The NZ suffix has featured prominently in the marathon feature, with all but one of the six victors since its 2018 inception being Kiwi-bred: High Mode (2018), Ablaze (2019), Count Zero (2020), Bastida (2022) and now Nassak Diamond.
Nassak Diamond qualified for the race by winning the NZB Airfreight Road To The Jericho (3210m) at New Plymouth in September, and went into Sunday’s feature in a fresh state, having last raced in rating 75 company over 2400m at Pukekohe last month, finishing seventh.
Racing in the colours of breeder The Oaks Stud, Nassak Diamond jumped well and sat parked early before settling just behind the speed as Da Deputy took control of the race and dictated terms up front.
The grey continued to set the pace up front before Campbell Rawiller took his opportunity aboard Nassak Diamond when a passage opened up on the inside down the back straight. She hit the front with 800m to go and quickly skipped clear of her rivals and ran away to a dominant seven-length victory over fellow Kiwi-bred Sunday Buzz.