Rubira too good in Diamonds Day Group 1

Hot favourite Rubira has won a action-packed $110,000 Group 1 Diamond Creek 2YO Classic at Ascot Park in Invercargill this afternoon.

Driven by Blair Orange, the Mark and Nathan Purdon-trained Nubira just held out a fast finishing Always Dreaming to make it three wins from three starts, the Always B Miki two-year-old adding the Diamond Creek Classic to his Kindergarten Stakes victory last month.

There were a number of lead changes in the day's feature as the tempo was poured on right from the start before Rubira made a sustained run to take the lead with just over a lap to go.

Into the home straight Always Dreaming, who was in the trail, zoomed up the passing lane and looked like running down the leader but Rubira held firm to win by a nose.

An enquiry into the final stages of the race was dismissed.

Rubira paid $1.90, cutting out the 2200m in 2:42.15.

It was Orange's fourth win in the race in its 10 year history.

Earlier in the day's two Group 2s, Matty Williamson won the Nevele R Stud Southern Oaks Final with Flying Ellie for his brother Nathan, while Built For Glory took out the Group 2 Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes. It was stable quinella for Steve and Amanda Telfer with Double Jeopardy finishing second.