Diplomatic Force was rated one of the most promising sprinters in training until leg injuries derailed his career.  Benalla trainer Wayne Nichols persevered with the gelding and all the remedial work paid off in The Big6 Hcp 1200m at Flemington on Saturday.

“It’s been a battle with his suspensory ligaments,” Nicholls admitted.  “It’s very satisfying to get him back on track.”

Diplomatic Force (6g Oamaru Force – Talk It Over by Umatilla) had been winless since the G3 Irwin Stakes at Morphettville in March 2009.  Earlier in his career, the gelding had won the G2 Yallambee Stakes and been placed in the G1 Goodwood Hcp.

Oamaru Force was a stakes winner at Flemington, Randwick and Canterbury for Ray Orloff and is based at Noor Elaine Farm in Victoria.  He is a son of Geiger Counter and has a 41% winning strike-rate since retiring to stud in 2003.  

Diplomatic Force is from Talk It Over who is a younger half-brother iron-horse Taos Pleasure (Taos).  He won 20 wins including the Listed Matrice Stakes and Manihi Classic.

Nichols bred Diplomatic Force and races him in partnership with Peter Busse, Karl Holden, Michael MacGregor and Stephen White.