Former Hong Kong galloper Diamond Diesel races to victory in the Listed Civic Stakes

Trainer Adam Duggan has secured the first Listed victory of his training career courtesy of the in form Diamond Diesel in the Civic Stakes on Wednesday at Warwick Farm.

In form galloper Diamond Diesel

One-time Hong Kong discard Diamond Diesel has capped off a remarkable career revival with a powerhouse victory in the Listed Civic Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

The seven-year-old gelding roared away with the feature race, rescheduled from Saturday’s washed out Randwick card, to deliver Gosford trainer Adam Duggan his first win at Listed level.

“He’s now the best horse I’ve had for sure,” Duggan told Sky Racing post race.

READ: From Rosehill to Hong Kong to Gosford: Diamond Diesel’s stunning return

“At times he can be tricky to train, you need to leave him alone at home and space his runs and we’ve really worked him out.

“He wouldn’t want me to mention him but a big thanks to Chris O’Brien who rides him at home. He’s done a wonderful job with him.

“And Andrew Adkins gave him a great ride. It was only a listed race but I knew the occasion wouldn’t get the better of him.”

Saved for one last run at them, Diamond Diesel ($9) powered home over the final stages to defeat race favourite Estadio Mestalla ($3.60) comfortably while Essonne ($23) filled third.

Diamond Diesel’s stunning Civic Stakes victory comes nearly two years after Duggan landed a maiden on his home track at Gosford with the now eight-time winning son of Mossman.

"Here's Diesel with a big run, oh what a campaign he's having."

Andrew Adkins brings Diamond Diesel with a well timed run to score an easy win in the Listed Civic Stakes at Warwick Farm for trainer @adugganracing. Estadio Mestalla and Essonne filled the placings. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/tW8abxCLLQ

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) June 26, 2024

Purchased by Hawkes Racing at the 2018 Inglis Classic Yearling Sales, Diamond Diesel won a Rosehill barrier trial in January 2020, before reappearing in Hong Kong just over a year later.

But after suffering a stress fracture to a shoulder in his one and only Hong Kong start, Diamond Diesel found his way back to Australian shores, where under the guidance of Duggan, has furnished into a stakes class galloper winning eight of his 21 appearances.

Following Wednesday’s Civic Stakes triumph, Duggan again extended his gratitude to now Hong Kong-based trainer Mark Newnham, who played a vital role in the horse finding his way to Gosford in the first place.

“I don’t know Mark all that well but I got a call from him one day asking If I’d be interested in taking a couple of horses for (stable clients) TCR’s Derek Tam and Peter Coffey,” Duggan told Racenet after his maiden Gosford win in July, 2022.

“To get a good push like that from Mark was something I was really appreciative of and after the win (at Gosford) on Saturday Mark was the first person I contacted.

“It’s funny how things work out sometimes and the opportunities that can arise. I’ve got a couple of horse for TCR now.”

On the strength of his Civic Stakes success, the South Grafton Cup is next on the agenda for the in form Diamond Diesel.

Originally published as Former Hong Kong galloper Diamond Diesel races to victory in the Listed Civic Stakes