By Glenn Davis
Talented colt Mishani Hustler confirmed his ranking as one of the State’s best winter carnival hopes with an all-the-way win in the Listed Dalrello Stakes at Doomben on Saturday.
Mishani Hustler produced a gutsy display fighting off early challenges and then a late bid from runner-up Shamurt to score by three-quarters of a length in the 1200-metre Listed feature.
The Mark Webb-trained Clockwise finished third, a further short neck away.
Mishani Hustler has now won four of his five starts including his past three in succession with his only defeat when fourth in the $250,000 QTIS Jewel at the Gold Coast last month.
Trainer Ben Currie has a big opinion of Mishani Hustler who is a homebred and owned by well-known racing identity Mike Crooks.
Currie is aiming Mishani Hustler for the Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on May 26.
The Towoomba trainer also will consider the Group 1 J J Atkins (1600m) at Doomben on June 9 with Mishani Hustler.
“He’s very tough and the perfect two-year-old," Currie said.
“He over-raced a bit today which is unlike him but he’s just so tough.
“The Sires’ is the logical step but it could be an issue if he over races.
“I just think the tempo in the Sires’ will suit him a lot better.”
Meanwhile Steve O’dea produced a brilliant training performance when Tan Tat Diamond unleashed a whirlwind finish to claim the Brent Kelly Memorial Handicap (1050m).
Ridden by apprentice Boris Thornton, Tan Tat Diamond was with the tailenders on the home turn before storming home to down Alaskan Wolf by two lengths.
Tan Tat Diamond showed plenty of promise early in his career before suffering a tendon injury which forced him to the paddock for a lengthy period.
Tan Tat Diamond, who won two races for former trainer Peter Moody, was having his first start for nearly two years after failing at the Gold Coast in June, 2016.
The four-year-old notched up win number six in 22 starts and extended his prizemoney haul to more than $313,000.
O’dea said Tan Tat Diamond had suffered two tendon injuries in his career and was retired after his latest setback before being put back into work following treatment at Aquis Farm at Canungra in the Gold Coast Hinterland.
“He seems to be standing up to his work so hopefully we can push on in the winter now,” O’dea said.
Racing Queensland webnews April 28