Satisfaction was written all over his face.
No one breathed a bigger sigh of relief than Matamata trainer Paul O'Sullivan when Diamond Cashel showed her true colours in the group three $40,000 Eulogy Stakes at Awapuni on Saturday.
"She has been talked up in the press right or wrong in recent weeks for things she should or should not be doing on raceday," he said.
"But really, it was just a matter of time before she put it together."
Diamond Cashel has been disappointing in her last few outings.
"Then again, I would have been bitterly disappointed if she was beaten today.
"I pay tribute to her band of owners for the patience they have shown," O'Sullivan said.
"Their loyalty has been unbelievable and they have taken all the disappointments on the chin."
"Hopefully, we've turned the corner as far as this filly's luck is concerned and we can get on with showing the world what she can do."
O'Sullivan came away on Saturday with the firm feeling that Diamond Cashel is also ready for 2000m.
She will race over the distance next in the group two $50,000 Royal Stakes on the final day of the Auckland Cup carnival.
"She has become far more relaxed and laid back these days, and nothing worries her," O'Sullivan said.
The start of the Eulogy Stakes was held up when One Thousand Guineas winner Elevenses got down in her stall, causing quite a ruckus in the barrier.
"Rider Bruce (Herd) said my filly just stood there as quiet as a lamb and never flinched a muscle," said O'Sullivan.
Diamond Cashel trailed on the outer, sometimes three wide.
But she looked very comfortable and sprinted quickly when Herd asked her to go.
"They went along at a fair clip up front, but she was still able to accelerate to the lead when it was time to go," Herd said.
"She's certainly got a lot of class about her."
Diamond Cashel went to the line strongly to hold Piper Star at bay by a length, with Honor Bound and Tangara completing a clean sweep of the first four placings by northern visitors .
"She shifted in a shade halfway down when she changed legs, but there was never any chance she'd lie down," said Herd, who celebrated his 29th birthday yesterday.
Herd was having his first ride for the O'Sullivan stable since piloting Vialli into second place behind Fayreform in the Whakanui Stud Stakes almost two years ago.
"Paul rang me for the ride before nominations came out, but Roger James wanted me for Piper Star the day entries were taken," he said.
"I felt awful about turning down Piper Star because over the last few seasons I've won some good races for Roger James.
"Ironically, it was Piper Star who pushed us the most."
Diamond Cashel is raced on lease by the Prelude Syndicate, who are mainly employees of the filly's owner Cambridge Stud.
The syndicate manager is Marcus Corban.
Oaks glory is a major mission for Diamond Cashel, but the horse won't be heading towards the group one New Zealand Oaks at Trentham next month.
"There's a very good chance she will be spelled after the Royal Stakes, but we will discuss that a lot more after Ellerslie," said O'Sullivan.
"The AJC Oaks at Randwick in the autumn is certainly top of the batting order. We would love to win a race like that."
- NZPA
Racing: Diamond Cashel finally sparkles
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