In a perfect world, Group 2 Ballarat Cup hero Compliance would have been chasing a second feature victory at the track in last night’s Pink Diamond Champion Sprinter final.
A top two-finish in the Warragul qualifier would’ve seen Compliance, trained by Pearcedale schoolteacher Karen Pitt, chasing a $75,000 winner’s purse in the Pink Diamond finale, but a close third saw the brilliant speedster miss out.
Instead, he’ll be one of the star attractions in Premier Racing at The Meadows tonight, chasing $15,000 worth of consolation in the Great 8 series special event (525m), race 8 at 8.58pm.
“The Pink Diamond was the aim; he’s probably a bit better suited over 450m and it was at Ballarat, where he won the Cup,” said Wayne Vassallo, Karen Pitt’s partner.
“We were hoping to qualify but it wasn’t to be. The (Pink Diamond) qualifying races were very tough, you couldn’t do anything wrong.”
For ‘Plan B’ at The Meadows, Compliance is TAB’s $2.25 favourite from an ideal draw in Box 1, shading Big Opal Rocks (Box 3) at $2.30.
The son of 2013 Melbourne Cup winner Black Magic Opal has won four of five career starts from ‘the red’, with his only defeat being a second to Paddy Wants Pats in the Listed Western Districts Derby at Ballarat.
WATCH: Ballarat Cup hero COMPLIANCE (6) produced a stunning effort to come from behind and beat rising star SILVER BRUTE (7) over 425m at Bendigo on June 4, clocking a Best Of Night 23.66sec.
Compliance has also won three from five at The Meadows, finishing an agonising second in the G1 Silver Chief Classic in January.
“He’s a mad railer, so the box will definitely suit him,” Vassallo said.
“It is his first ‘500’ for a little while so I’d say he’ll be better for the run but as long as he can lead and run his sections, he’s a good chance.
“But if the three (Big Opal Rocks) gets a clear run, it’ll be too strong for him. It’s probably got a few lengths on him with a clear run.”
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Pitt and Vassallo have a second contender at The Meadows in Specialty, which is a $8 chance from Box 6 in Race 11 at 10pm.
“Specialty is a bit awkward and not that quick early but he’s going quite well and is not without a chance.”
