Racing: Little Diamond could sparkle in Cup

Canterbury trainer Kevin Hughes believes he has the right sized horse to win the $250,000 Wellington Cup in Dimondsontheinside.

Dimondsontheinside guaranteed herself a start in Saturday's group one feature at Trentham by winning the $30,000 Wellington Cup Trial Handicap (2200m) at Trentham yesterday.

The horse stands only about 15.3 hands but Hughes, who trains at Riccarton, said small horses could be suited to coping with the Wellington Cup distance of 3200m.

"I always believe you need a light-framed horse to get two miles [3200m]," Hughes said.

"The other ones waste too much time banging the ground. The little ones just skip along."

Hughes said Dimondsontheinside's size could count against her as far as avoiding any buffeting in the running, but he was confident she would cope with 3200m despite not having raced beyond 2200m.

"She'll get two miles on her ear," he said. "All she needs is a bit of luck in the running. If she can be tucked away, she's got a great finish."

Dimondsontheinside was ridden yesterday by Waikato jockey Cameron Lammas, who confirmed to Hughes immediately after the race he would take the Cup mount.

The Istidaad 4-year-old mare notched just her fourth win and Hughes said there had been some concern raised by the horse's owners about the horse making the Cup field.

Hughes said he assured the owners that yesterday's race was the best route to the Cup as the first three placegetters were guaranteed a start and the field was often not strong.

"I said to the boys, don't worry, we'll get in because this is never a strong field."

He had no concerns about the Cup coming just five days after yesterday's race. "It helps settle them for the Cup. There is plenty of time to recover, she can do very little now. Your work's done."

Lammas gave the horse a perfect run two back on the outer and was able to run down pacemaker Gorgeous George to score by a head.

A length and a quarter away in third was Spit 'N' Polish, who battled away after improving three wide from about the 800m.

A disappointment was second favourite Arreviderci, who had won the race last year but could only finish fifth.

- NZPA