Awapuni visitor Diss Is Dramatic (NZ) (Dissident) showed all her fighting qualities when she downed a handy line-up of two-year-olds in Saturday’s Listed Berkley Stud Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton.
The Lisa Latta-trained daughter of Dissident had finished runner-up behind race favourite Defiant last start without much luck after being squeezed out of a gap in the home straight when looking a winning chance.
This time rider Tina Comignaghi made sure she was in plenty of clear air approaching the home turn as she brought Diss Is Dramatic into contention out in the middle of the track.
Eventual runner-up Redmond had been joined by Diss Is Dramatic’s stablemate Cheveux (NZ) (Belardo), who was giving plenty of cheek, before Comignaghi asked her mount to extend which she did in fine style to draw away for a stylish length victory at the finish.
Latta, who had made the trip south with just the two runners, was delighted with the final result for both of her fillies.
“I’m absolutely rapt as they both went super races and deserved to get some black-type after performing so well,” she said.
“Both have been staying down here with Andrew Carston, who is a very good friend and they have both done a treat.
“Diss Is Dramatic had been a little unlucky last time as she got squeezed out of a gap when she was starting to make her run.
“Tina rode her perfectly as she kept her in the clear and when she asked her to extend, she really showed some fight to get away on them near the finish.”
While she wasn’t sure what would be next for the pair, Latta was leaning towards a spell for both fillies before returning for a three-year-old campaign.
“We have been battling a little with Cheveux’s shins and she has been doing plenty on the water walker,” she said.
“I think they would both benefit from a spell now, although that’s not a decision to make on raceday.
“Diss Is Dramatic is a very laid-back filly who I think will get over a little more ground as a three-year-old so a break now makes a lot of sense.”
Raced by the Go Racing All About Me Syndicate, Diss Is Dramatic was purchased by Go Racing principal Albert Bosma out of the Cambridge Stud draft for $60,000 during the Book 1 sale at Karaka last year.
She is a daughter of Darci Brahma mare Our Drahma Queen (NZ) and comes from an extended family that includes multiple Group One winner Suavito (NZ) (Thorn Park) and hardy New Zealand galloper Sultan Of Swing (NZ) (Bachelor Duke).
