The Diamond One will have to overcome the toughest draw to produce the perfect finish for the extended family of the late Steven Anderton in tomorrow's White Robe Lodge Handicap.
The mare drew barrier 16 for the 1600m feature, which was rescheduled for tomorrow after the premier meeting was abandoned after one race last Saturday.
That is not insurmountable, particularly if the 5yr-old mare has a sense of the emotions that have enveloped Wingatui and the greater thoroughbred community since news spread on Monday of trainer Anderton's injuries at his Wingatui Rd property that morning, and news the following day of his untimely death at the age of 43.
She will be aided by the engagement of one of the country's leading riders, Rory Hutchings, who will take the ride after Johnathon Parkes was unable to make the trip tomorrow, due to commitments at Tauherenikau.
The Diamond One was able to conquer a wide barrier draw of 11 last year to win Otago's biggest race of the season, and Hutchings has the full length of Wingatui's back straight to find a spot for the mare in the field.
The Otago Racing Club had decided - in conjunction with Anderton's family - to honour Anderton with a minute's silence at 3.45pm, immediately after the Dunedin Gold Cup presentation, chief executive Andre Klein said.
The feature race itself has been renamed the White Robe Lodge Group III Handicap In Memory Of Steven Anderton, and racegoers who wish to share their memories of Anderton can add their thoughts in a tribute book located outside the president's room.
The moment's silence could become a giant roar 22 minutes later if The Diamond One is making her bid for victory inthe final 200m.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing operations manager Tim Aldridge said all horses trained by Anderton had been placed in a training partnership with his wife, Claire, for tomorrow's meeting, as requested by the family.
The governing body was more than willing to grant Claire a temporary licence in the circumstances and would leave it up to her if she wished to continue as the trainer after the next few weeks, Aldridge said.
