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The US$2 million Five Diamonds takes centre stage at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday, bringing down the curtain on an eight-week Sydney Everest Carnival worth US$85 million. A capacity field featuring five Group One winners sets up an intriguing contest for the third running of this feature.
British raider Docklands, trained by Harry Eustace, brings fresh form having finished fifth in the Cox Plate behind Via Sistina. The European challenger faces stiff opposition from local talent including Attrition (Mitchell Freedman), Lindemann (Chris Waller), Iknowastar (Bjorn Baker) and Territory Express (Paul Niceforo).
The Gr.3 Inglis Golden Gift, carrying a purse of US$1 million, offers a golden ticket towards the 2025 Golden Slipper. Training duo Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott field promising youngster North England, while Annabel Neasham saddles Tupakara in this crucial juvenile contest.
The Five Diamonds, though only in its third year, has quickly established itself as a significant spring target. Previous winners have gone on to achieve further Group One success, cementing the race's growing prestige on the Australian racing calendar.
Australian Turf Club Executive General Manager Racing and Wagering Nevesh Ramdhani said: "Sydney has hosted eight weeks of world class racing of Australia's best horses, trainers and jockeys along with international visitors. The US$2 million Five Diamonds has attracted a capacity field including five Group One winners."
The supporting Gr.2 Cincotta Chemist Hot Danish Stakes sees Magic Time (Grahame Begg) clash with recent The Invitation victor Belclare (Bjorn Baker) in what promises to be an exciting renewal of the US$500,000 contest.
"The US$1 million Inglis Golden Gift will see the winner and likely second placegetter earn enough prizemoney to be in the final field for the 2025 Golden Slipper," Ramdhani added, highlighting the significance of the juvenile contest.
The ten-race programme brings together established stars and emerging talent, providing a fitting finale to what has been one of Sydney's most successful carnival seasons.