Diddle Dumpling made it two wins on the trot this preparation with a gritty front-running effort at Rosehill, reaffirming her credentials for a potential black type campaign.
The four-year-old mare, owned by John Singleton and trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, had shown flashes of brilliance as a younger horse but struggled with racing manners. However, this campaign has seen her race more professionally, taking out the The Agency Real Estate Handicap (1300m) after a first-up success at Gosford.
“She has settled a lot in the brain this time around,” Ryan said.
“She had a good spell and came back a lot stronger and more settled in herself.
“She has always had the ability. It was just getting her to do things right and this time around she has done everything right.”
Diddle Dumpling ($6.50) was able to keep a strong gallop through the line to beat Golden Straand ($13) by a length, with Codetta ($5.50) running third, another half-neck back.
Ryan is hopeful she can step up in class, potentially targeting black type mares races later this winter or early spring.
“We will try to win another one of these but I’d love to get black type with her,” he said.
“She handles the wet and those early season mares races could really suit her.”
Storm The Ramparts added another win to his stellar campaign later in the day, running rivals off their feet in a commanding all-the-way performance.
Trainer Joe Pride revealed the horse had overcome physical issues with a spell and treatment proving the difference.
“He had a shoulder problem last prep but we addressed that and gave him time. He’s come back flying,” Pride said.
“The July Sprint at Rosehill is on the radar now and it’s a race we’ve had success in before.”
Storm The Ramparts scored by 1-1/4 lengths over First Landing with Pokerjack in third.
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