Alyson Wright’s two-year-old Var filly Diamond In The Sky won in impressive style on debut on the Greyville turf on Sunday and there is a heartwarming story behind this talented sort.
She was quite green in the running in Sunday’s 1000m event, which was run in slightly soft going, and threw hear head up for a stride or two around the turn. However, she quickened superbly and then ran all the way to the line under Brandon Lerena to win by 1,5 lengths from Fortissimus.
Diamond In The Sky had drifted out from 12/10 to 5/2, while Fortissimus had been backed into 5/2 joint favourite.
Diamond In The Sky, who is a solidly built chestnut with a nice stride, was bred by Rathmor Stud and is out of Dominion Royale mare Sorority, who won one race over 1400m at Greyville in just her third start. Sorority has now produced three winners, including an A. P. Arrow filly who finished runner up in the Listed Zimbabwe Derby.
Kevin Wright liked Diamond In The Sky at the Sale and duly thought he had clinched her for R300,000. Mike McHardy of Rathmor had already presented Kevin with a gift bag, when a commotion broke out.
Unbeknown to Kevin, well-known owner Ray Koedyk had been sitting in front of him during the bidding and the horse had actually been knocked down to him.
Koedyk’s bloodstock agent thus stopped the Sale in order to sort out the confusion. A quick audit revealed Koedyk to indeed be the legitimate buyer. It was a bit of a blow for the Wrights, but they were sporting about it.
There was later to be a happy ending.
They bumped into Koedyk at last year’s Mike Holmes Bloodstock Super Sale, which is always held in the Greyville parade ring on the afternoon of the Vodacom Durban July Gallops.
Koedyk told them the Sales confusion had been weighing on his mind and he had consequently decided to send the horse to them. The horse had in the meantime been at Sue Peters’ spelling farm.
Rathmor were the only possible losers in the end, because there is no telling how long the bidding would have gone on for.
However, McHardy was delighted when informed of the wonderful gesture by Koedyk.
The Wrights have been in the game for long enough to know it is only when facing the best that the true class of a horse can be revealed, so they are keeping their feet on the ground.
However, they were impressed by Diamond In The Sky’s debut effort, especially considering how green she was.
Another asset she possesses is a wonderful temperament, which augurs well considering Var’s possible best ever daughter Val De Ra was also chestnut and was so laid back she was almost asleep.
– David Thiselton
– Picture: Nkosi Hlophe
