Diesel Ten (left) and Hold The Line fight out a tremendous finish in the mile maiden© Photo Healy Racing
Dermot Weld’s powerful team have struck form in recent days, and the Rosewell House maestro sent out a winner at the third successive Flat meeting this week as Diesel Ten just prevailed in the UL Racing Society Median Auction Maiden.
In truth though the victory was greatly down to the strength of six-time champion Flat jockey Pat Smullen.
This mile event looked wide open over a furlong out with five horses including 8/15 favourite Silver Lightening almost in a line across the track.
However Hold The Line (20/1) and Diesel Ten took over inside the final furlong, with the former holding a slight advantage until Smullen forced the 7/1 winner up in the final strides.
The pair stretched clear with King Of The Romans (5/1) seven lengths adrift in third, and the favourite weakening to finish fifth
Kris Weld, representing his father Dermot, said, “He was tough and enjoyed the soft ground. He battled well and Pat gave him a good ride as he looked beaten. He’ll go for a handicap next.”
Smullen said, “The conditions suited and he’s a full-brother to Croisultan who was a good old horse for us and he loved the soft ground.
“The blinkers also helped him to concentrate in the heat of the battle. It’s very heavy ground and it took some getting.”
The ground was officially changed to heavy (from soft) after this race.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
