Blue Bloods Impress in New Zealand Trials

Thursday, 08 August 2002 00:00

Te Teko in the spring lived up to its reputation as a launch-pad for blue-bloods when a pair of likely sorts showed their potential at yesterday's trials.

There is a big gap between an 800 metre catchweight heat and the summer classic, but Lafleur and Diamond Like showed enough to encourage hopes that they can live up to their breeding.

Despite having done little more than three-quarter pace in her training to date, Diamond Like rose to the occasion to beat Lafleur by three-quarters of a length.

Lafleur likewise has not been pressured and more than pleased her trainer Jim Gibbs with both her relaxed demeanour and the ability she showed.

Cambridge Stud-owned and bred Diamond Like is out of the former high class race filly Tristalove who was trained by Dave and Paul O'Sullivan to win the Matamata Breeders' Stakes before she transferred to Australia where she won the AJC Sires' Produce Stakes and Australasian Oaks.

Paul O'Sullivan trains Diamond Like, who is a sister to the recently retired high class Australian colt Viking Ruler.

Lafleur is owned by Peter and Philip Vela, who bred her from Desert Lily, a Green Desert daughter of the high class European sprinter Habibti, a half-sister to legendary broodmare Eight Carat.

Media Release - TNZ