Dean Holland is happy to retain the mount on Diplomatic Force, one of several unlucky runners in the Group One Oakleigh Plate, in Saturday's $100,000 Thoroughbred Club Cup at Caulfield.Prepared at Benalla by Wayne Nichols, Diplomatic Force was beaten less than two lengths when eighth to Woorim in the 1100m Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield on February 25.Racing Victoria stewards reported the seven-year-old was held up for clear running rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight until
Dean Holland is happy to retain the mount on Diplomatic Force, one of several unlucky runners in the Group One Oakleigh Plate, in Saturday's $100,000 Thoroughbred Club Cup at Caulfield.
Prepared at Benalla by Wayne Nichols, Diplomatic Force was beaten less than two lengths when eighth to Woorim in the 1100m Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield on February 25.
Racing Victoria stewards reported the seven-year-old was held up for clear running rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight until after passing the 200m.
Holland, 23, was having his first ride on the gelding who has been a good money-spinner for Nichols and his fellow part-owners winning six races and placing in another eight of 38 starts for more than $560,000 in prize money.
Diplomatic Force has drawn barrier five in the 13-horse field.
"He ran a very good race in the Oakleigh Plate. He just got bottled up a little bit as he did the start before - he probably should have won that," Holland said.
The jockey was referring to Diplomatic Force's first-up effort when sixth to Eagle Falls in the Group Three Rubiton Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on February 11 when ridden by Craig Robertson who is currently under a careless riding suspension.
"Last start I thought he probably should have run a place. I don't think he would have won but the way he attacked the line he really motored home," Holland said.
"So I think he'll be very competitive on Saturday.
"He's back to his right grade, he's going well and I think he'll run well.
"He's the best of my rides on Saturday."
Holland will also ride Auld Burns in the Sky High Mt Dandenong Hcp (1400m) for Lindsay Park trainer David Hayes and Geeceegazza in the De La Salle Centenary Plate (2000m) for Cranbourne trainer Chris Hyland.
"Things have been going well. I've been working hard, riding every day and getting a few winners out of it so it's been good," Holland, who won the 2010 Group One Australasian Oaks aboard Small Minds for Patinack Farm, said.
"About 12 months ago I broke a couple of vertebrae in my back and it took me a good three or four months to get back from that.
"The last three or four months have been my best since I've been back from the injury so it's onwards and upwards."
The Mick Price-trained Stratcombe is $2.80 favourite with TAB Sportsbet for the Thoroughbred Club Cup as he tries to complete a hat-trick of wins after winning over 955m at Moonee Valley and by four lengths over 1200m at the opening night meeting at Cranbourne.
Valentine Miss is at $4.20 with Zedi Knight and Amaethon at $8.50 and Diplomatic Force at $11.