Pink Diamonds are Kate’s ‘best friend’

[Wandering Eyes]

The second staging of the lucrative $1.175m Vic Breeders Pink Diamond series kicks off with Maiden and Challenger heats at Shepparton later this afternoon and at Warragul tonight.

Last year’s inaugural Pink Diamond event unveiled a host of terrific tyros with ‘bred in the purple’ bloodlines.

And, even at first glance, this year looks no exception!

Tanjil South’s Kate Gorman’s ‘triumvirate’ are a perfect illustration.

Recalibrate (R3 B7) and Starlit Fantasy (R4 B1) – a younger half-brother and half-sister of Kuro Kismet – and Whizbang Betty (R9 B6) – a daughter of prolific producer Segovia – line up at Warragul.

“I think it’s brilliant for breeders and it’s encouraged me to breed more with those bonuses in mind – they’re a huge incentive.”

Mayfair Miss – dam of Recalibrate and Starlit Fantasy – is a litter sister of former Group 1 pin-up Up Hill Jill, which is the dam of G1 Melbourne Cup hero Koblenz.

Meanwhile, Segovia is a daughter of Cintiarna, which won the G1 Temlee and G2 Cranbourne Cup and contested the G1 Australian Cup – all in 2013.

“All three are nice pups, but they’re boxed ‘upside-down,” Gorman said. “They are lacking a bit of early pace and need to be better out of the boxes.

“It’s a good starting point, but the Pink Diamond has come up a little sooner than I would have liked. Starlit Fantasy has been held back a little bit with injuries.

“But if they end up half as good as Koblenz, I’d be more than happy.”

Gorman is a staunch advocate for the Pink Diamond concept.

“I think it’s brilliant for breeders and it’s encouraged me to breed more with those bonuses in mind – they’re a huge incentive.

“The Pink Diamond is something I’m going to look forward to each year – it rewards the breeder.”

Pawnote: Koblenz is the inaugural Pink Diamond Rookie Sprinter champ.

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