Longshot Divertire scored a surprise win for trainer Joe Pride in the Group 3 $200,000 Darley Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone today.
Divertire scores a surprise win in the Dark Jewel Classic at Scone. Photo by Steve Hart.
Divetire was stepping up sharply in class after finishing third in a 1600m BenchMark 80 at a midweek Warwick Farm meeting on March 25 and although Pride said that she trialled well for a third at Warwick Farm on May 11, he didn’t think that she was ready to win today.
“The trial was excellent on Monday, she really hit the line well,” Pride said.
“She is a good honest mare but I thought she might need a wet tack to win at this level.”
“Today she was excellent.”
Pride was full of praise for Danny Beasley’s winning ride which saw Divertire ($31) claim the pacemaker Calming Influence ($5) close to the line to score a narrow win with ($14) filling third spot.
“He rode her a treat. It was really good ride by Danny. He got her to the right part of the track, he had her comfortable all the way,” Pride said.
Beasely haas only been riding back in Australia since April following a stint in Singapore and today’s win was his first since arriving home.
Runner up Calming Influence ran another brave race from the front with James McDonald setting a solid pace but the Chris Waller trained mare couldn’t hold off the strong finish of Divertire.
Rose Of Choice was sent out the $3.80 favourite and after having a nice run just behind the leading division failed to run on in the straight to finish fifth.
