Hastings home run for Dimaggio

Dimaggio had few favours when he resumed last month and the four-year-old made his own luck to score on the Group 1 undercard at Hawke’s Bay on Saturday afternoon.

Raced by a syndicate that includes Waikato Stud, the Tony Pike-trained son of Almanzor finished fifth in his return at Taupo where he was tightened for room in the straight.

Dimaggio was quickly into his work at Hastings under jockey Kozzi Asano to make the running and he produced a strong kick in the run home to prove superior to a competitive line-up of Rating 65 performers over 1600 metres.

“It probably wasn’t the pre-race plan to be in front, but he jumped well so it was a good ride by Kozzi,” Pike said.

The Cambridge horseman purchased Dimaggio out of breeder Curraghmore’s draft FOR $95,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale.

He is the first winner for the Pins mare Pinstripe, who is a half-brother to the multiple Group winner Firebolt.

Dimaggio has been a work in progress and Pike said expected the gelding to continue to improve with further experience and is planning a return trip to Hastings.

“He has come back stronger and we’ll take him right through the grades and we might look to come back here in three weeks times.”