Rebel Diamond forges on for Billy Lee© Photo Healy Racing
Natalia Lupini's Rebel Diamond was thoroughly professional under Billy Lee in the Irish EBF Auction Series Race over six furlongs.
The favourite went off at short odds of 2/9 to account for his four rivals after a victory at Naas last month. He had to give plenty of weight away as he carried 9st 10lb.
The Cotai Glory colt, who was the most experienced horse in the race, was away smartly from the gates and was shaken up approaching the final furlong. He soon had the opposition in trouble and only Temperance was able to chase him in the closing stages.
It was to no avail, though, as Rebel Diamond was far from troubled in running on by two and a-quarter lengths from the 7/1 runner-up.
The trainer's partner and assistant, Craig Bryson, said: "He had to carry plenty of weight and we were worried about the second horse as she doesn’t look too bad, but he did it well in the end. He’s improving and he loves that fast ground.
"Billy was saying that the ground was a wee bit quicker here today than it was in Naas, and that’s what he wants - the faster the better.
"He’s very straightforward and you could go anywhere with him.
“There’s another race back here — an auction final over six — which is a possibility, and there’s a Listed in Fairyhouse that’s also a possibility, but we’ll see how the horse is.”
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
