La Diosa wins 2016 Gavelhouse.Com Nz 1000 Guineas Group 1 NZ$300,000 at Riccarton Park (NZ) 3yo, 1600m.
La Diosa stamped herself as the best filly in the country with a dominant win here. She gave a strong field a start and won decisively, with the racing style of an Oaks filly. The field jumped in line yet young rider Racha Cuneen allowed La Diosa to find her feet from barrier nine and they drifted back to be equal last (one out) down the back. At the 800m she was still last then Cuneen pulled widest out into the middle of the track, still giving the field a start. On the outside of the course, she balanced up and by the 300m was gathering in the leaders. By the 200m she was almost level but after that she put her head down and powered away, giving nothing else a chance, for an impressive win, her fourth in six starts.
Bella Gioia was worse than midfield (one out) down the back and round the big bend, worked into the clear before the last corner, ranged up to the leaders at the 300m and ran on quite well without a winning chance.
Sweepstake was third last rounding the bend, moved out wide turning in and ran on well to lunge into third short of the line.
Midnight Gossip found a clear run at the top of the straight and battled away to hold fourth while Astara was second turning in and with every chance battled away down the straight for fifth.
