Tricky Diamond draw for heat winners

Last week’s two Diamond Classic (2130m) heat winners have both drawn tricky barriers ahead of Friday’s final at Gloucester Park.

The Barry Howlett-trained Flametree, who had barrier seven in her heat win last week, has drawn barrier eight for the $50,000 event.

Gliding Star, who arrived just in time to win her heat, will have to overcome barrier 12.

Our Lady Jen, who led and won a heat of the Westbred Classic as a two-year-old and was placed in her Diamond heat behind Flametree, drew barrier one and was the big beneficiary of the draw.

Sweet Vivienne, who finished a gallant third to Gliding Star in her heat, was also helped out by drawing barrier two.

Brulee and Lady Violetta, who finished second in the heats, have drawn barrier six and 10 respectively.

Aiden De Campo, who had Sovrana finish second to Wonderful To Fly in last year's Diamond Classic, has Between Two Thorns and American Monarch in the feature event from barrier four and five respectively.

Elsewhere on the card, the exciting Gary Hall Snr-trained pair Prince Of Pleasure and Finvarra will make their anticipated return to racing.

Meanwhile, trainer Ryan Bell said stable star Shockwave could have lined up again in this week's Free-For-All, following his superb return last week.

Shockwave was too classy for his opposition in last week's The West Australian Pace (2130m), where he beat Hampton Banner and Arma Einstein.

The seven-year-old settled outside race leader Hampton Banner and powered to a 3.4m win over the concluding stages.

It was Shockwave's first start since July 2021.

Bell said he was relieved to have the son of Mach Three back racing and the way he had come through the run.

"I thought he would run a forward race, but it was arrogant the way he did it," Bell told The Trots WA.

"I know they probably weren't the best Free-For-All horses we have but they were rock hard fit and in good form.

"We jogged him yesterday and, touch wood, he felt as good as ever.

"It felt like he hadn't been around on Friday night, which is unbelievable and I was tempted to run him this week."


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