Marie's Diamond leads home Viadera© Photo Healy Racing
After finishing second in the Railway Stakes over the course and distance last month, Marie's Diamond went one place better this afternoon, taking the Group 3 Jebel Ali Racecourse And Stables Angelsey Stakes.
Trained in the UK by Mark Johnston, the son of Footstepsinthesand was sent off at 7/2 under James Doyle for Middleham Park Racing (also the owners of previous winner Ice Cold In Alex .
Settled in second behind the front running Fantasy the bay victor was ridden over furlong out, and got to the front inside the final 200 yards, going on to score by half a length. Viadera (9/4) ran a fine race on just her second career start, filling the runner-up berth under Colin Keane for Ger Lyons, their fourth placed runner of the day.
The Aidan O'Brien trained Just Wonderful was sent off the 13/8 favourite, and she was a disappointing third another two and a quarter lengths back.
"The race panned out beautifully, how I kind of thought it would," said Doyle.
"I got a nice tow into it so we didn't have to do all the donkey work.
"The leader died a fair way out and we were left there plenty soon enough and he did prick his ears a bit but when one or two came to him, like a true Mark Johnston horse they really stick their neck out.
"He's going to get further than this. Seven and a mile will be well within his compass. He's been pretty tough and progressive this season so he's one to look forward to."
Mike Prince of Middleham Park Racing added: "He ran really well in the Railway here the other day so we thought we'd bring him back to have a crack at this and he's done it well."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards interviewed James Doyle, rider of Marie's Diamond, following a post race veterinary report from Dr Lynn Hillyer M.R.C.V.S, Chief Veterinary Officer of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. Evidence was heard from Dr Lynn Hillyer M.R.C.V.S and from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race, photographic evidence presented by Dr Hillyer and considered the evidence of the rider, the Stewards were of the opinion that James Doyle was in breach of R10(3)(e) by hitting his horse other than down the shoulder or on the hind quarters and R10(3)(f) by using his whip with excessive force. Having taken his good previous record into consideration the Stewards suspended him for 1 raceday. .
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
