Former French galloper Don Diego De Vega claimed a dramatic edition of the Grafton Cup (2350m) on Thursday, capitalising on pre-race chaos and a wayward favourite to score his first Australian win.
Top elect Bear On The Loose was a late scratching after getting his leg over the gate in the barriers, altering the complexion of the race before it had even begun. The withdrawal prompted a change of tactics from jockey Zac Lloyd, who seized the moment.
“The plan changed in the barriers when Bear On The Loose got scratched and he was one of the speed runners in the race,” Lloyd told Sky Racing. “I made my mind up in the gates. He was very well pre-race and going to the gates he was full of energy so I was confident he was going to begin well.”
Lloyd allowed Don Diego De Vega ($4.60 equal favourite) to settle just behind the speed, trailing Quietness ($4.60) who looked the winner on the corner until she veered violently off course in the straight. That costly error opened the door for Don Diego De Vega to dive up her inside and take the prize by three-quarters of a length. Zoology ($15) finished a further length away in third.
Raced by Australian Bloodstock and trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, Don Diego De Vega now has a promising future in local staying ranks, according to part-owner Brendan Nelson.
“We were a little bit uncertain with this surface today. He really likes to get his toe in but he just came out and did a brilliant job,” Nelson said. “He hasn’t shown us everything yet but we can’t wait to see where this takes him.”
The result delivered maiden Grafton Cup wins for both the Archibalds and Lloyd, who began his career in the Northern Rivers region.
“I started my career here with Toby and Trent (Edmonds) so good to come back here and win the Cup,” Lloyd said.
Punters can follow Don Diego De Vega’s next steps and find value odds on all staying features via the top Australian betting sites.
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