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