Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)
With the weather closing in again towards the tail end of a memorable Matamata Breeders’ Stakes day, it was left to durable stayer Diamond Jak (Jakkalberry) to add some further sparkle to proceedings as he bolted away with the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (2000m).
The enigmatic seven-year-old has proven a head scratcher at times for trainer Mark Brosnan, often ruining his chances with a tardy getaway from the starting gates.
On his day however he is a force to be reckoned with and Saturday was his day as he relished the Heavy9 underfoot conditions to race clear in the home straight after dictating the pace throughout for rider Rory Hutchings.
Hutchings had the son of Jakkalberry away swiftly to head the six-horse field after just 200m and once allowed his own way in front it was evident his mount would be hard to peg back.
Eventual runner-up He’s A Doozy tried his heart out in the run home but there was no stopping Diamond Jak as he maintained a powerful gallop to collect his ninth career victory and first at stakes level.
Brosnan was pleased with his charge leading into the race and when the track came up a Heavy9 it played into his hands even more.
“That was very satisfying as once the rain came I knew he was a good chance,” Brosnan said.
“He needed the run the other day and although I wasn’t going to come here, once it rained I decided to run him.
“I told Rory to be positive out of the gates and although he was a little more positive than I thought he would be, it worked for him.”
Brosnan will now have to decide where to head next with his charge as his aim had been the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) on 7 March at Ellerslie, but owner Gary Hodel had talked him out of that plan.
“I honestly don’t know where to now as I had him nominated for the Auckland Cup, but my owner talked me into pulling him out,” he said.
“I don’t know where to go now so we will have to take a look around.”
Hutchings, who had employed similar tactics when winning aboard My Lips Are Sealed in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m) earlier in the day, was keen on his chances when track conditions came up in the Heavy range.
“He got the track to suit today and when I was able to hold the top (lead), that was the difference between winning and losing,” he said.
“He was a rock-hard fit stayer and I was able to put the pressure on early and maintain a strong gallop.
“He built through his gears and was strong through the line.”
Bred and owned by Gary and Linda Hodel, Diamond Jak has now won eight of his 40 starts and over $349,000 in prizemoney.
