Pfieffer aiming for stakes repeat with Oh Diamond Lil at Hawkesbury
David Pfieffer is following the successful blueprint from Oh Diamond Lil's spring campaign in his effort to land the attractive mare a further stakes victory in the Hawkesbury Crown.
The five-year-old dictated terms wire-to-wire to take the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle on debut back in September, with Pfieffer eyeing a similar result for her resumption across a like trip at Hawkesbury on Saturday.
"She looks good, and her first-up record is quite good," Pfieffer said.
"She won first-up at Scone last year, and when she won the Tibbie at Newcastle she was first-up.
"I think she is well placed."
Sired by So You Think, Oh Diamond Lil has thrived under Pfieffer's guidance, notching seven successes in 17 attempts.
Besides her Newcastle stakes score, she ran within three lengths of elite Group 1 performer Stefi Magnetica in The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick during October, before filling fourth behind Verona Rose in the Inglis Bracelet (1600m) at Flemington the following month.
The trainer is assured of her strong return to preparation and expects enhancements to her resume, kicking off at Hawkesbury.
Her follow-up is earmarked as the Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone on May 16, leading into a Queensland winter series potentially encompassing the Magic Millions National Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 6.
"She's got a lovely string of races coming up for her," Pfieffer said.
Pfieffer has impressed at Warwick Farm with his modest string, achieving 11 victories and 16 minor placings from the last 50 starters, including first-timer Call Me Zeus's dominant win at Kembla Grange midweek.
Five of his latest 20 have saluted, alongside eight placegetters.
"Everything is racing well. If they're not winning, they're running placings," Pfieffer said.
"Probably too many seconds for my liking lately.
"But as long as they're racing well, running up to their mark and winning prizemoney, they're keeping their owners happy."
In the Hawkesbury Crown (1300m) betting, Oh Diamond Lil rules at $3.60 ahead of Victorian raider Surfin' Bird ($4.60), successful in four of six, and Country Championships Final winner Chidiac ($5).
Find competitive racing betting markets for the Hawkesbury Crown at leading online bookmakers.
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