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Heroic Valour wins 2016 Sistema Diamond Stakes Group 1 NZ$200,000 at Ellerslie (NZ) 2yo, 1200m.
Heroic Valour remains unbeaten in three starts and confirmed his last start Listed win in the Matamata Slipper (Listed, 1200m), graduating to Group One level here with a hard fought win. From barrier nine, he jumped with them but had to be hurried to stay in touch, three wide at first but one out and one back when they settled. Remaining in fourth to the turn, jockey Jonathan Riddell had a great look as they straightened but waited until the 250m before kicking and ranging up to the leaders. Inside the 150m they took over but the colt took a greenish zig-zag route to the line but had just enough to last at the post.
Wyndspelle was mid field to the turn, moved away from the fence at the 300m, built his momentum to be handier then flew the last 50 metres to go down narrowly.
O'Rachael had a lovely run in third to the turn, matched strides with the leader (Tennessee) at the 200m and kept up a solid gallop to the line for a well fought third.
Favourite Xiong Feng was never in the race, last turning in and showed nothing in the run home.