Diwali salutes in the 2025 Sandown Cup

History repeated itself at Sandown on Sunday when Diwali scored a powerful win in the Listed Sandown Cup (3200m), reviving memories of another Diwali who triumphed in the 1982 Australian Steeplechase.

Coinciding with Australian Hurdle and Steeplechase Day, the Gavin Bedggood-prepared stayer added his name to the Cup’s honour roll, producing a dominant staying performance under jockey Joe Bowditch.

Jumping at $10, Diwali defeated hot favourite Through Irish Eyes ($2.80) and Alma Rise ($3.50) with a commanding 2-¾ length margin. The betting favourite was backed on most online bookmakers.

“He had been running well over a mile-and-a-half and this race was there,” said Bedggood.

“We thought it would be full of horses from the Andrew Ramsden and a few jumpers, but we were untried at the distance.

“We thought with the right run, it was worth a try.”

Diwali had built up to this win with a Moe success in benchmark 58 grade, before going close in metropolitan company with fourth and second-placed finishes.

His next major target will be the Deane Lester Flemington Cup (2800m) on July 19.

“We’ll probably send him to the beach tomorrow and give him a week to freshen up a little bit and then look for a 2500-metre run in between,” Bedggood said.

“We might go three weeks, three weeks into that race and use it as our final.”

Bowditch was full of admiration for the trainer’s work.

“Can’t this bloke train a racehorse,” Bowditch said.

“I wouldn’t put anything past Gavin. I won a benchmark 58 on him three starts back and I wouldn’t say he was impressive enough to be here.

“But Gav’s a pretty good trainer, especially how he’s got him to settle and run the trip.”