NZB Standardbred Graduates Battle Out Group One Diamond Creek

It was an anxious wait following the Gr.1 Diamond Creek Farm/SBSR 2YO Classic (2200m) at Ascot Park last Sunday as connections were left waiting several minutes to hear the judges call.

Following 2200m, NZB Standardbred graduates Roger That (NZ) (Sweet Lou) and Chiggsy (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) couldn’t be separated to the naked eye and it was left to the judge to study the photo finish to identity a winner, with the Cran and Chrissie Dalgety-trained Roger That finally getting the call.

While rapt to get the win, trainer Cran Dalgety paid tribute to the bravery of runner-up Chiggsy.

“We were excited by our win but it was a great effort by the second horse to sit parked,” he said. “They went as good as each other and we were the fortunate ones to get the photo.

“You go to the Yearling Sale and there are 400 horses at the sales and you throw the dart at the dart board and hopefully you get the right one.”

Dalgety threw one of those darts at last year’s NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale at Karaka where he landed on Roger That, who was offered through Rogeron Bloodstock’s draft, and he secured the now gelding for $150,000.

Bred by dual code trainer Graeme Rogerson, who remains in the ownership, Roger That is out of Holyrood, a half-sister to Group One winner Cyclone Prince, Group One performer Cyclone Kate, who is the dam of multiple Group One winner Cyclone Jordy, and Cinco Amigos, the dam of multiple Group One winner Don Hugo.

Roger That has now won all three of his starts to date and earned more than $70,000 in prizemoney.