Victory would be fitting

TOP southern racemare The Diamond One will seek a poignant win in the feature race at the Otago meeting at Wingatui on Friday.

The Diamond One has been a star performer for Mosgiel thoroughbred trainer Steve Anderton, who died yesterday after being seriously injured in an accident on Monday.

Anderton, who would have turned 44 next month, had been on life support in Dunedin Hospital.

He had been found unconscious early on Monday morning, under the loading door of his horse transporter. It appears that the door hydraulics had failed.

Anderton’s wife, Claire, and their two children had been on holiday in Te Anau when the accident occurred but were flown back to Dunedin by helicopter.

It is intended that The Diamond One, Anzac Star and Sofia Loren will race in Anderton’s name on Friday.

The Diamond One is the likely favourite for the Group III White Robe Lodge Handicap.

White Robe Lodge is operated by Anderton’s uncle, Brian.

Anderton’s death will be felt by the racing community throughout New Zealand but particularly in Otago, where generations of his family have contributed to the industry.

He began his training career in partnership with his father, Hec, and operated the Wingatui stable on his own account from 2006, when his father retired.

The Jewel, the winner of two Group I races in New Zealand and a luckless second in the Queensland Oaks, was a standout performer for the partnership, which also had considerable success with Canterbury Gold Cup winner Sand Sweeper.