DILMI’S PUNT PAYS OFF WITH EAGLE FARM START

NACIM Dilmi’s gamble to send I Am Carrot to Queensland at least will get the promising three-year-old a start at Eagle Farm tomorrow.

But he is still hoping for a couple more scratchings to give the gelding a shot at the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m) against his own age.

“I took a punt and sent I Am Carrot north on Wednesday evening as he was fourth emergency for the Fred Best, and sixth emergency for the Benchmark 85 Handicap (1500m),” Wyong-based Dilmi said this morning.

“I have just been advised that he has secured a start in the Benchmark 85 following quite a number of withdrawals.

“I would still like to go to the Fred Best if he can make the field, but if not he will definitely run in the opening race.

“I Am Carrot is currently a benchmark 70 rater, and he has only 53kg (limit weight) and Rachel King will ride him.

“Whilst he is against older horses, I’m expecting him to run well.

“He carried 60kg in winning first-up over 1300m at the Kensington track on May 13.”

Jason Collett partnered the well-bred Castelvecchio three-year-old in that victory, and will stay with him if he gets into the Fred Best field.

Dilmi explained why he didn’t keep I Am Carrot at home and start him at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow rather than send him to Queensland.

“I accepted with him in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1500m), but didn’t want to risk running him on a very heavy track at Rosehill,” he said.

“All going well tomorrow, he can stay in Queensland for the Group 3 Gunsynd Classic (1600m) against his own age at Eagle Farm in a fortnight.”

I Am Carrot has raced only eight times, and has won three of his last four starts.

Having secured a berth in the Benchmark 85 field, he is now a $5 second favorite with TAB.com.au, but is at $16 for the Fred Best with the uncertainty of sneaking into that line-up.

Dilmi also accepted with Oceanfront (Regan Bayliss) in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1800m), and Viewpoint (Andrew Adkins) in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1500m) for three and four-year-olds at Rosehill.

“Oceanfront will definitely run, but I’m 50-50 about starting Viewpoint,” he said.

“I also nominated him for a 1600m Benchmark 72 Handicap at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, and we might wait for that.”

. Leading Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup will start Sunset Park in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm, but was hoping the track would stay in the heavy range.

Melbourne jockey Lachlan Neindorf will ride Sunset Park, who showed her heavy track prowess when she led throughout in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) against her own sex at Flemington last November.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, MAY 29, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS