MATCHA LATTE ‘SPOT ON” FOR HISTORY-MAKING PMC BID

NACIM Dilmi goes to Royal Randwick tomorrow with a different type of “pressure” on his shoulders.

But he is confident Matcha Latte is “spot on” to justify his firm favoritism tag and become the first horse to win two Provincial-Midway Championships Finals (1400m), with last year’s jockey Ash Morgan also getting the opportunity to play his part in the history-making bid.

In his first season of training and with 24 winners already to his credit, including a Gosford double yesterday, the Wyonghorseman is seeking his biggest success so far, with the gelding in the $1m Final.

Dilmi took over at the start of the season as Domeland’s head trainer; his predecessor Sara Ryan having guided Matcha Latte to victory last year over leading Newcastle trainer Kris Lees’ pair Lord Of Biscay and Imposant (rivals again).

“I’m used to going to big races having worked with James Cummings and being in charge of Godolphin’s Melbourne stable,” Dilmi said today.

“I’m on my own path now, and couldn’t be more pleased with Matcha Latte’s condition.”

Matcha Latte was being “trotted up” this morning when ProvincialRacingNSW spoke with Dilmi, who said the gelding was “very well in himself”.

“There’s obviously going to be more pressure on Matcha Latte in tomorrow’s race,” he added.

“He wasn’t the favorite last year, and a bit of an underdog but it’s different altogether this time.

“Matcha Latte has drawn toward the outside (12, but will come in one if the second emergency Strawberry Impact doesn’t make the 15-horse field), and has the pace to take up a good position.

“Obviously I don’t want Ash to burn his carrots too early, but he knows the horse really well and I’m expecting him to be in the first four or five,” Dilmi said.

“Matcha Latte is well placed at the set weights conditions of the Final with 56kg (and actually meets Lord Of Biscay 1.5kg better than 12 months ago).

“He would have 60kg plus if it was a handicap, so he’s definitely got his chance to win again.”

Matcha Latte this morning was a clear favorite at $2.90 with TAB.com.au ahead of Lord Of Biscay ($4.60), with Hawkesbury mare Oui Oui Oui ($8.50) and Newcastle three-year-old Buffalo ($9) the only others under double figures.

. RacingNSW stewards this morning gave the “all clear” for both Buffalo and Oakfield Saturn to take their places in the Final, following further veterinary inspections.

Gear changes have also been approved for three of the Final runners.

Midnight Opal has blinkers back on instead of winkers, Octa De Lago will race in a bubble cheeker (off side) for the first time, and Harry’s Bar has ear muffs pre-race rather than wearing them throughout the race.

Dilmi’s Gosford winners yesterday, both resuming, were a mixture of short priced and long priced.

Probability Theory (Rachel King) was a $1.85 favorite when she took the Midway Benchmark 68 Handicap (1200m), whereas Mane Character (Reece Jones) was a $61 bolter when she won the Provincial Maiden Handicap (1200m).

Probability Theory, having her first start since finishing fifth to last week’s Group 1 Australian Derby winner Green Spaces in Newcastle’s Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) last November, also was an acceptor for the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) at Randwick tomorrow.

“I did give a lot of thought about waiting for Randwick, and was still contemplating which way to go at 7.25am (five minutes before the Gosford scratching deadline yesterday),” Dilmi said.

“But in the end I felt the Gosford race was the right one to begin her campaign before she starts to have her distances increased.

“Probability Theory has now won three of her five starts, and looks set for a successful preparation.

“Obviously I can’t say I expected Mane Character to win when she was such a big price, but I expected her to run a nice race just the same.

“She has come back a bit more mature, and her two trials (won at Wyong on March 5 and second at the Beaumont track on March 24) were good.”

Newcastle’s Nathan Doyle was the other successful provincial trainer at Gosford; Into Brooklyn ($2.90 favorite) posting her second win, in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m).

STORY JOHN CURTIS, APRIL 10, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS