D’Oro Wins Golden Ticket to Cleveland Bay

Dio D’Oro in Italian means golden god but it could easily be god of rain.

The Wulguru-trained gelding Dio D’Oro is a nob in the wet and revelled in the slow going at Cluden Park yesterday to continue his winning run and book a guaranteed berth in next month’s Cleveland Bay Hcp.

Thanks to an inspired rails ride by Justin Stanley, Dio D’Oro came from the tail of the field under 60kg to win the Horan and Bird Open Hcp (1200m) from El Of A Saga and Funky Music.

The win was Dio D’Oro’s fourth Cluden victory and second win from two starts this preparation.

“I just hope he doesn’t cop too much weight with that,” McGuire said.

“The ride won the race clearly. From an outside alley over to the fence, stuck to the fence the whole way and it worked. It was great.

“His first up win was impressive and we were a little worried it might have flattened him for this start.

“But the weather gods were on his side and his wet track form was superior to a lot of runners in the race and he let down brilliantly.”

McGuire is reluctant to head to the Mackay Newmarket with Dio D’Oro and is inclined to keep him fresh for his main assignment, the Cleveland Bay.

“Considering how well he went first up we might just go straight into it from here,” McGuire said.

“We tried to travel him to Cairns last year and that didn’t go well so we’ll take that risk out of the equation.”

Tolga trainer Sharlee Hoffman and jockey Lacey Morrison combined to claim the Great Northern NQ Cup (1609m) with the under-rated stayer Macquereau.

The win secures an automatic start in the Townsville Cup for the seven-year-old.

Hoffman marvelled at Macquereau’s versatility.

“I’m just very happy and he’s right on track. It was a very impressive win,” Hoffman said.

“We went to the Townsville Cup last year and I think the track was a bit firm for him and then we got back to Cairns he was a lot better.

“He loves the track here and travels down well and I just wanted to see how he went today and how he pulls up.”

The tough Pallencia rounded out a big day with victory for apprentice Rachel Shred in the Townsville Dollars (1400m).

Trainer Roy Chillemi said he would consider a start in the Guineas over the mile during the carnival but weights would be the biggest factor.

Pallencia lumped 59.5kg to a strong win from Kamarcher and Miss Seattle.

Talented mare Deadly Diva made a triumphant return to Cluden, revelling in the wet ground to win the In Memory of Ray Tapiolas 0-65 Hcp (1609m).

Pictured: Dio D'Oro wins the Horan and Bird Open Hcp (1200m) and books a guaranteed berth in next month’s Cleveland Bay Hcp.

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