Midnight Diamond the one to beat in Darren DeFilippi Memorial

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

Riley Harrison has two factors in her favour heading into Friday's Darren DeFilippi Memorial Handicap Trot at Addington (9.01pm).

Not only is she the only driver in the race to have it won previously but she is also driving the highly-fancied Midnight Diamond for her employers Robert and Jenna Dunn.

The six-year-old mare was unlucky when locking wheels and galloping briefly turning for home then rocketing into ninth last start (July 3). Before that she was a very impressive winner, also at Addington, on June 19.

A six-race winner, Midnight Diamond opened at $2.45 and has since been backed in. Harrison knows her horse is classy, with explosive speed, but is still wary.

"It's a junior drivers race, a trot and a stand - anything could happen."

But she is cautiously optimistic that Midnight Diamond can overcome a 20 metre handicap in a capacity field.

"If they go hard like they normally do every year it could suit her down to the ground. She could be saved for one run."

Other favoured runners include Amistozo (Carter Dalgety), Didn't Di (Tayla Duley) and Four Wise Women (Korbyn Newman).
 

Friday's race will be the 32nd edition of the race held to remember and honour Darren DeFilippi, who was just 17 when he died in a three car crash returning from the Geraldine races. He had 14 wins as a junior driver in 1995-96.

It is a prestigious race that has a lot of meaning for today's junior drivers and for Darren's parents Colin and Julie DeFilippi it is always an emotional and special occasion. 

Harrison won the race with the Paul Nairn-trained Luvavici in 2024, winning by five lengths. 

"I thought that I'd gone a lap early - I didn't think it was real," says Harrison, "I didn't even turn the stick - he actually flew."

"When I won it the trophy made it so special  ..  I can see why it's a race they (the juniors) all want to win."

Matthew Williamson is the most successful driver in the race's history, having won it three times in a row (2011/12/13) while Mark Hurrell went back to back in 2018/19 as did Sarah O'Reilly in 2021/22. 

To see the field for Friday's race click here