Big upset in Queen of Diamonds

[Wandering Eyes]

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

A clearly overcome Zev Meredith was all but lost for his words after winning his first Group 1 as a trainer at Alexandra Park tonight.

He’d just watched his six-year-old mare One More Moment win the TAB $100,000 Queen of Diamonds, the first ever Group 1 for trotting mares.

Driven by visiting Australian Greg Sugars, of Just Believe and Better Eclipse fame, One More Moment was three back the fence before overhauling the favourite Con Grazia Love in the shadows of the post.

She paid $41 on the fixed odds. 

Post race Meredith looked shocked by the upset win.

“One More Moment has just created a moment I’ll never forget,” he told Trackside post race.

It was One More Moment’s fourth win in 17 starts, and clearly the biggest moment in the 22-year-old’s career.

After finishing a close up second with Con Grazia Love Maurice McKendry made amends with Miki Shand in the $60,000 Group 2 Franklin Cup.

McKendry took the trail behind The Big Lewboski and then shot up the passing lane, paying $46.

The Big Lebowski was second, with Jolimont third.

Further south it was Mo’unga who dominated the night’s feature pace at Addington, the Group 3 East West Fencing Summer Cup.

Driver Robbie Close hunted him out at the start and once he got the lead he never looked like being beaten.

Arch rival Republican Party was nursed back to last before circling the field to sit parked. But he had no answer to Mo’unga as he won his 10th race in 23 starts. 

In the last of the night’s Group 1s Duchess Megxit produced all the qualities of a champion to win the $100,000 Queen of Hearts at Alexandra Park.

Princess Meritaten produced the early fireworks to take the lead and at the 800 Duchess Megxit was eight lengths off her, only to storm around the field three wide.

Zachary Butcher then ran down Princess Meritaten with a storming finish.

Duchess Megxit paid just $2.10 for the win. It was her 11th win in just 17 starts and follows her win in the Group 1 New Zealand Pacing Oaks at Addington a fortnight ago.  

 

 

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