Diamondrella Breaks Through for Rock

13th October 2008

Rock of Gibraltar had a frustrating weekend with second and third place-getters in the Group One MRC Toorak Handicap at Caulfield with Rockwood and Pillar of Hercules, so it was good to see him post a stakes-winner in the US.

In-form mare Diamondrella (4m Rock of Gibraltar x Tap Yur Feet, by Dixieland Band) landed her fourth straight win when prevailing by a nose in a tight finish to win the Listed Xtra Heat Handicap at Belmont over six furlongs on turf.

Trained by Angel J Penna, Diamondrella is in career best form and after being forced five wide into the straight she rallied strongly and refused to be denied.

A $185,000 purchase from the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Diamondrella is raced by Castletop Stable and has won five races and placed three times from 13 starts winning $236,576 in prizemoney.

Diamondrella is one of 35 stakes-winners worldwide for young Danehill stallion Rock of Gibraltar and is from the stakes-winning Dixieland Band mare Tap Your Feet, a daughter of Exotic Moves.

In Australia, smart milers Rockwood (4g Rock of Gibraltar x Foxwood, by Centaine) and Pillar of Hercules (4h Rock of Gibraltar x Coat, by Brocco) look worth following on to Flemington following terrific runs to fill the minor placings in the Group One MRC Toorak Handicap over 1600 metres on Saturday.

Both horses were Group winners last season at three and have come back in good order with plenty of suitable races in coming weeks.