VENUE SWITCH A GEM FOR “DIAMONDS”

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JASON Attard’s keen eye led to an overdue victory for Prefer Diamonds yesterday before she heads to the paddock.

The Hawkesbury trainer switched plans when he noticed a 2000m Benchmark 66 Handicap on the program.

“I was taking Dwight to Bathurst for an 1100m Maiden Plate when I noticed this 2000m race,” Attard said.

“Prefer Diamonds was in a 2000m Benchmark 64 at home on Thursday, but for some reason she lays in more at Hawkesbury than anywhere else.

“The Bathurst race wasn’t as strong and I decided to take her there hopefully to send her for a spell on a winning note.

“It couldn’t have worked out better.”

Prefer Diamonds had not won since scoring twice on end at home – both over 1500m – in September last year, and her chances of breaking the drought looked forlorn when she tailed the field approaching the home turn.

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Attard wasn’t unduly concerned however.

“Winona Costin remembered something I said to her when she rode the mare earlier in her career,” he said.

“I had told her to be patient and not get busy until the home straight, and that’s what she planned to do again this time.”

Costin saved ground near the inside on Prefer Diamonds ($4.20) on straightening, weaved between a couple of runners in the straight and the mare overpowered Godwits ($7) and Gosford-trained Kosuke ($5.50) in the closing stages.

“Even though Prefer Diamonds had not won this campaign, she has been thereabouts, and it was so good to see her get back in the winning list,” Attard said.

Attard just missed out on a Bathurst double when Dwight ($3.60) was narrowly beaten by Ciaron Maher’s Apiarist ($7.50) in the 1100m Maiden.

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Ironically, Apiarist also was a Hawkesbury acceptor on Thursday, but was withdrawn from an 1100m Maiden Plate.

Attard was pleased with the first-up performance of his talented mare Oui Oui Oui in last Saturday’s Group 3 The Nivison (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Oui Oui Oui ($21) gave a great sight when she loomed up in the straight before finishing eighth to Gerringong.

“The 1200m just found her out first run back,” Attard said.

“I wish the race had been 1100m, but she has bounced out of it really well.”

STORY JOHN CURTIS, OCTOBER 17, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS