Diametric Ready To Fire In Civic Stakes

Trainer Chris Waller has revealed that Diametric has been set for a first-up tilt at the 2015 Civic Stakes and he believes that the gelding can make a winning return to racing in the Listed event this weekend.

Glyn Schofield has been booked to ride Diametric in the 2015 Civic Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this weekend. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Glyn Schofield has been booked to ride Diametric in the 2015 Civic Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this weekend. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Diametric started his summer campaign with a narrow victory in the Declaration Of War Plate at Royal Randwick on January 10, but he was unable to replicate that form and he was sent back to the spelling paddock after he missed the placings in the Listed Randwick City Stakes (2000m) on March 7 and the Group 3 Manion Cup (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21.

Waller said that Diametric’s autumn preparation had been designed around a first-up crack at the Civic Stakes and he is happy with the condition of the Dansili gelding heading into his racing return.

“He won first-up over 1400 last prep and that was his best run,” Waller said.

“He never finished off his races after that, so he has been prepared to be ready to win first-up if good enough.”

Diametric will be joined in the 2015 Civic Stakes field by stables mates Rugged Cross and Said Com, but Waller is not particularly bullish about either runner heading into the race.

Said Com has not been seen at the races since he beat home only one runner in the Cellarbrations Kingswood Handicap (1350m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 15 and Waller admits that the Group 1 placegetter may need an easier race at this stage of his career.

Rugged Cross started his autumn campaign with a third place finish in the Octagonal Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on May 30 and he finished third in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) at Hawkesbury on June 7, but he was unable to find the line when he finished fifth behind Beauty’s Beast in the Perfection Fresh Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on June 27.

Waller admits that he was disappointed by the last start effort of Rugged Cross, but he is hopeful that a quiter ride can help the six-year-old return to winning form this weekend.

“Rugged Cross didn’t find the line over 1500 last start,” Waller said.

“He was given a perfect ride, but maybe he just has to be held back for that last crack at them because it was a touch disappointing to be fair.”

Rugged Cross is currently available at 2015 Civic Stakes odds of $12, while Diametric ($17) and Said Com ($31) are both available at lengthier quotes.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.