DILMI BREAKS THROUGH – WITH HELP FROM A FORMER ASSOCIATE

NACIM Dilmi was associated with a host of top-class racehorses during his lengthy time as a trusted James Cummings’ lieutenant at Godolphin.

And though there was no Group 1 at Gosford today, winning a Midway Benchmark 68 Handicap (1600m) could easily have seemed like a major.

Reason being that Aix En Provence’s determined victory gave the French expat his first success as a trainer in his own right.

Now based as Domeland’s private trainer with stables on course at Wyong and at their base at Kulnura on the Central Coast, Dilmi was appointed to the role when fellow Wyong trainer Sara Ryan, who had done such a marvellous job there, decided to branch out as a public trainer.

Aix En Provence ($3.30 favorite) was strongest to the line to defeat Kembla Grange trainer Kerry Parker’s Irish Bliss ($6), despite conceding him 3kg.

Aix En Provence was one of Dilmi’s first two runners when he finished fourth in a 1900m

Benchmark 72 Handicap at Canterbury on August 6, and was his 10^th starter today.

“It’s been a bit of a slow start, but it was a great thrill to train my first winner,” Dilmi said this evening.

“I’m especially grateful to Domeland for having the faith to give me the opportunity to train for them.”

Whilst Dilmi left Godolphin recently to take up the role, he still called on a former Godolphin employee, former apprentice and now senior jockey Zac Lloyd, to break the ice for him.

“Zac and myself had a good association at Godolphin, and of course he is now doing so well in the senior ranks,” Dilmi said.

“His manager rang me after Aix En Provence ran at Canterbury and asked to keep Zac in mind when I started him again.

“I mentioned there was a good chance that would be at Gosford today.

“Zac rang me a couple of days ago and said ‘don’t worry mate, I’ll get your first winner’.

“Thus it was pretty special to combine with him for my breakthrough success.

“Zac was certainly on the ball.”

Dilmi is settling well into his new position, and is working between 20-30 horses for Domeland.

“We’ve got 20 horses on track at Wyong, and another 10 at Kulnura, so it’s keeping everyone busy,” he said.

. HOOFNOTE: After only a few weeks in the job, Dilmi is looking to win his new hometown Cup next Friday.

He is keen to start Salt Lake City in the $250,000 Listed Wyong Leagues Group Wyong Gold Cup (2100m).

The import had his first start under Dilmi’s banner when third to Saltcoats in the Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) on the Kensington track on August 13.

Story John Curtis, August 29, 2025