Racing: Special filly repays faith

Craig Williams rides Diazling to win at Moonee Valley yesterday. Photo / Getty Images

Caulfield trainer Luke Oliver got special satisfaction from lightly-raced filly Diazling when she posted her first city win at Moonee Valley yesterday.

The daughter of Sequalo was the first yearling Oliver had ever bought and gave him one of his biggest thrills when she defied a betting drift from $6 to $8 to score in the Leslie Short Memorial Handicap (1600m).

Ridden by Craig Williams, Diazling was held up for a run rounding the home turn before peeling out behind Mousseline and scoring a half-head win over The Night's Hot with Miss Phromily 1 lengths away third.

Diazling cost A$23,000 ($28,175) and was the only yearling Oliver bought at the Magic Millions sale.

She won her race debut at Horsham in December and is the second winning foal from Miss Diaz.

This campaign Diazling has raced four times and telegraphed she was ready to win in the city when third at Sandown last start.

However Oliver doesn't have big plans for her just yet and is content to send her for a spell now.

The decision to bring rising 8-year-old Mangonui out of retirement has proved a winner with the gelding scoring at his second start back.

Mangonui's career looked over when his previous owner decided to draw the curtain in November after five wins in 25 starts.

Sale trainer Ian Hutchins got him back after a long-time friend put a syndicate together.

"The horse has had two starts for a second and a win here so it has been worth it."

Craig Williams, who recently returned from a stint in Japan, landed his second city double for the week when Mangonui finished strongly to win the Chris Hood Memorial Handicap (1200m) in a blanket finish.

He beat off Signor Socks to score by a short head with Sacred Orders a short half-head away third.

Dutchy's Lass set most punters off on the wrong leg when she caused an upset in the opening event but her trainer Shaun Dwyer and jockey Glen Boss were not surprised.

Boss had ridden the Dutch Harry 2-year-old filly for the first time at her previous start when she resumed with blinkers on for the first time and lost a plate in running, weakening to finish eighth of 10 to Royal Bender over 1000m at Flemington on July 10.

The blinkers were off yesterday. .

"I told you to disregard (her last run)," Boss said to Dwyer on dismounting. "She showed a bit of fight. She coasted a bit and when they came at her she kicked so that was a good effort."

Dwyer said it was Boss' first winner for him. Dutchy's Lass ($26) kicked strongly in the straight to hold out Broadcast ($3.70 fav) by a nose with Barangaroo ($4.60) a nose away third.

Queenslander Dwyer trained dual Group One winner Regimental Gal. He also trained Dutchy's Lass' sire Dutch Harryand moved to Bendigo in March last year.

- AAP