Jockey Rachel King believes the mare Oh Diamond Lil, despite being described as “a bit of a weirdo”, is in optimal condition to perform at her peak in the upcoming Mona Lisa Stakes at Wyong. King guided the David Pfieffer-trained galloper to her most significant victory in the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle last spring.
However, the six-year-old’s subsequent performances have been inconsistent, a factor King attributes more to the mare’s mental state than her physical condition. “She’s a bit of a weirdo but the guy who has been riding her work has done a really good job with her this ‘prep’,” King stated. “She’s still got her ways about her, but when she’s on the track she has been more relaxed than ever.”
King elaborated, “At the moment they’ve got her in a really good headspace and she’s back to firing like she was when I was last winning on her. She’s fit and healthy and looks great. She has done plenty of work, she’s had good, solid trials and she’s ready to go.”
Oh Diamond Lil has not competed since securing a close fourth in the Magic Millions National Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm in June. Despite this, she has won both her recent trials and possesses a strong record when resuming from a spell.
Meanwhile, King’s mount in the Wyong Gold Cup (2100m), Bella Montagna, is also returning from a campaign in Queensland. This included a narrow second to Alalcance in the Premier’s Cup (2400m) and concluded with a fifth behind the same horse in the Brisbane Cup (3200m). With the advantage of that retained fitness, Bella Montagna is anticipated to be a formidable contender.
“Distance-wise, it’s the right trip for her (first-up) and I’m sure coming from Gai and Adrian’s she’ll be fit enough first-up,” King commented. “She is definitely improving and she has each prep. Even last prep, she improved throughout the whole preparation.”
She further added, “I was pretty confident going into a Brisbane Cup it would suit her. She probably didn’t quite see out the two miles trying it the first time, but I think she’ll benefit a lot from it and she’s the kind of mare who can get over that trip eventually. It will be interesting to see how she’s come back having had that little bit of a break. I think she has probably strengthened up a bit.”
King aims to replicate her 2020 success when she achieved the Wyong Cup-Mona Lisa Stakes double with Paths of Glory and Asiago. With the Mona Lisa Stakes on the horizon, punters are eyeing the available racing odds at Australian betting sites.