Lightning Stakes Day Race 3 Results – Diplomatic Force Wins The Big6 Handicap

February 19, 2011

Lightning Stakes Day Race 3 Results – Diplomatic Force Wins The Big6 Handicap

Flemington race three today saw six-year-old Diplomatic Force return to the winner’s stall and claim a good victory in the $75,000 The Big6 Handicap (1200m) in a nice win for trainer Wayne Nichols.

Diplomatic Force, a son of Oamaru Force, has had a career of mixed results suffering leg injuries and a number of unlucky runs in black-type races against tough competition.

Today a patient and well-timed ride by jockey Craig Robertson and the dry track conditions at Flemington saw Diplomatic Force break the drought and win their first race since the galloper took out the Group 3 RN Irwin Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville back in March 2009.

Race three was run down the Flemington straight and the increasing wind played a big part in the result as it was a slow speed for a sprint making it impossible for the back runners to get a chance including race favourite Avienus out on the far outside.

Kwassa Kwassa hit the lead early from Preventable with Peter Moody’s Returntosender settling into third.

As the pace eventually quickened in the final few hundred meters, Kwassa Kwassa was swamped and couldn’t hold on.

Diplomatic Force had travelled beautifully throughout and when Robertson hit the button he flew away and pounced with 150m left to run.

Kicking away well, when Diplomatic Force was let go it was all over for the other runners.

On the line it was Diplomatic Force ($11) a length ahead of Beligietto with Returntosender holding on to third.

Diplomatic Force has now won six of his 28 career starts, today’s prize money boosting his earnings to over $500,000.

The first group race on the Lightning Stakes Day card is up next with Flemington Race 4 – the $200,000 Group 3 The Mittys Vanity (1400m) due to jump 2:50pm (AEDST).

Get the best odds on The Mittys Vanity and our favourite to win #5 Southern Speed at Luxbet now.

2011 The Big 6 Handicap Results & Finishing Order

Finish No. Horse Jockey Trainer Weight Margin
1st 3 DIPLOMATIC FORCE(5) Craig Robertson Wayne Nichols 57.0 1-10.90
2nd 12 BELGIETTO(3) Glen Boss Peter Gelagotis 53.0 1.0L
3rd 10 RETURNTOSENDER(2) Luke Nolen Peter G Moody 53.0 2.8L
4th 9 I’M DISCREET(9) Michael Walker Russell Cameron 53.0 3.5L
5th 13 PREVENTABLE(6) Craig Newitt John P Thompson 53.0 4.8L
6th 2 PLAYWRIGHT(8) Jordan Mallyon(a3) Steve Richards 56.0 5.3L
7th 1 ORBIT EXPRESS(10) Jake Noonan(a2) Steve McKinnon 57.0 5.6L
8th 11 COUNT TO ZERO(1) Brian Park Robbie Griffiths 53.0 5.7L
9th 17 VERDASCO(11) Nicholas Hall Sean Mott 53.5 5.8L
10th 8 LUCKY THUNDER(7) Dwayne Dunn Danny O’Brien 53.5 6.0L
11th 16 SOPHROSYNE(14) Glyn Schofield Michael Moroney 53.5 7.5L
12th 7 KING HOAKS(12) James Winks Allison Bennett 54.5 8.2L
13th 15 KWASSA KWASSA(4) Peter Mertens Shane Stockdale 53.0 8.3L
14th 4 AVIENUS(13) Craig Williams Mark Webb 55.5 8.5L
Src 5 MIDNIGHT MUSTANG Brad Rawiller Luke Oliver
Src 6 WE’RE GONNA ROCK Michael Rodd Mark Kavanagh
Src 14 SNIP ESPRIT Glyn Schofield John Symons & Sheila Laxon

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Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

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