Diemens makes winning debut in bumper

Van Diemens Land held on in the closing stages to make a winning debut in the concluding bumper at Gowran Park.

Owner/rider Paul McMahon had sent his mount to the front, from long-time leader Is Herself About turning into the straight.

The Charles O'Brien-trained Arch gelding galloped on strongly in the closing stages but had to hold the late surge of Koko Lane

The runner-up flew home inside the final furlong but failed by a neck to peg back the winner.

"He's a nice horse. His leather broke after a mile in a schooling bumper so we thought he might need the run today," said McMahon afterwards.

"He should come on from that. He'll probably go for a winners bumper somewhere now."

Gary Carson