Ellis unflustered by Diamonds draws
Paul Ellis was dealt a double blow when the draws came out for Diamonds Day at Ascot Park on Sunday, but it’s not something he’s dwelling on.
He is just chuffed ‘‘to be taking two really nice horses to the races and what will be will be.’’
Betterthanbrie has shaped as a good filly in her brief career and looms as one of the favourites for the $45,000 Group 2 Southland Oaks alongside Dibaba, who will be out to give trainers Terry and Glenys Chmiel their second win in the race.
Nek Time, who is now retired, won in record time of 2.43 with Dexter Dunn driving two years ago.
Having driven Bonnie Joan to success last year, Dunn will be chasing a hat-trick in the event.
Betterthanbrie has drawn the inside of the second line and Dibaba has barrier three on the second row.
‘‘You can’t do much about things sitting in the stands so there’s no point worrying about it,’’ said Ellis.
‘‘We’ll just have to hope they go hard and Dexter can get her away from there, because she’s good enough to go around them and be there at the end.
‘‘She’s never gone a bad race and she keeps getting better and better.
‘‘I do hope they go hard because the 2700m distance will suit her – she’s tough, genuine filly and a great wee stayer.’’
Should Betterthanbrie circle the field and win, it would mirror the performance of her dam Survano Hanover.
She was too good for her rivals in the event 11 years ago, in the hands of Terry Chmiel, for trainer Coaster Howe.
Invercargill’s Murray Little subsequently acquired Suvarno Hanover as a broodmare and Betterthanbrie is the second foal he has bred from her.
The first was a three-quarter brother by Bettor’s Delight in Wannabet, a smart horse for Ken Barron who won three before being sold to Western Australia where he has won eight races and $91,000.
Betterthanbrie is by a son of Bettor’s Delight in Betterthancheddar and Ellis can see many similarities with the way the filly is thriving on her racing. Mach’s Back, also bred and owned by Little, has drawn the outside the second line in the following race on Sunday.
He has been a revelation in recent weeks with two wins and a second, when he was just beaten by Franco Santino in a Southland record 1.52 mile at Winton.
‘‘He won his first start really well for Wayne Adams and then came to me in January with a few issues to iron out,’’ said Ellis.
‘‘He was weak in behind with