DILMI SAILS HOME IN TOWN WITH OCEANFRONT

WHAT a difference 12 months makes!

This time last year as Godolphin’s then head Australian trainer James Cummings’ trusted Melbourne lieutenant, Nacim Dilmi was cheering Zardozi when she ran fourth to roughie Knight’s Choice in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.

Come another edition of the great race today, Dilmi instead was at Royal Randwick and celebrated his first metropolitan success as Domeland’s private trainer on the Central Coast.

Dilmi, who took over the role at the beginning of the season when Sara Ryan (who won the Big Dance with Attractable at the same meeting two years ago), made it three wins in a row with the rapidly improving Oceanfront, who impressively took the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1800m).

Despite his recent double at Newcastle, Oceanfront was sent out at near double figure odds ($9.50) and scored as though he was a short-priced favorite.

Dylan Gibbons was given great credit by Dilmi for his winning ride as he took he lightly-raced four-year-old to a decisive two lengths plus victory over fancied pair Natoya ($2.60 favorite) and Horizons ($3.50).

“Scratchings from the race obviously helped us, but Oceanfront had to overcome the outside barrier in a field of eight, and it’s never easy to win from an awkward draw at the 1800m starting point,” Dilmi said this evening.

“Dylan took his time getting Oceanfront across to trail the leader Horizons.

“I was impressed with the manner in which the gelding put away his rivals over the closing stages.

“That was a great thrill to win my first race in town, especially with a young horse who is clearly on the up.

“Oceanfront has made great strides since finishing sixth at Taree earlier in the year on a heavy track, and then was runner-up at Tamworth in July at the beginning of his current campaign.

“He is by Trapeze Artist and I’m fortunate to have a few of his progeny, and it is apparent they need time.

“I will see how Oceanfront comes through this race and his subsequent progress before deciding whether to chase another win, or give him a break.

“He is a straight forward horse to train, and gives the impression he will cope with a longer distance than 1800m.”

Dilmi, who has now prepared seven winners, got a congratulatory message from his former boss not long after Oceanfront’s win.

“It was nice of James to do that,” Dilmi said. “He is keeping an eye on my progress.”

Subsequent Wagga Gold Cup winner Flying Bandit last year won the same Randwick race as Oceanfront.

Dilmi’s win in the opener at Randwick sparked a flurry of provincial successes at various meetings.

Kembla Grange trainers Mitch Beer and George Carpenter won the Randwick closer, the Benchmark 84 Handicap (1000m) with $3.60 favorite Sunrise (Anna Roper).

At Kembla Grange, local won five of the eight races.

Flying Bandit’s trainer Kerry Parker clinched a double with debutante Hinzel ($5) and Tom Cruising ($26), and leading trainers Rob and Luke Price also posted a double, with second favorite Me Me ($2.90) and well backed $3.10 favorite Smashing Time.

Anthony Mountney landed the Midway 3YO Maiden Plate (1400m) with Luma Light ($4.80).

At Muswellbrook, Newcastle’s Nathan Doyle was the sole provincial winning trainer.

He took the 3YO Maiden Plate (1000m) with Into Brooklyn ($2.70), ridden by his apprentice Shannen Llewellyn.

Fellow Newcastle trainers Scott Aspery and Steve Hodge were successful at Taree with respective favorites, Jocund ($1.90) and Incanctress ($.180).

Leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees, who finished ninth with Changingoftheguard ($61) in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington, was a dual winner in Queensland.

He scored with $1.80 favorite Brain Wave at the Gold Coast, and Enterprise Private ($8) at the Sunshine Coast.

Story John Curtis, November 4, 2025