Special Diva takes the next step in her relatively short career in the Listed Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.

The Snitzel filly won at Geelong maiden by three lengths on Boxing Day and followed up with a gutsy, front-running victory in a BenchMark 70 at Caulfield on January 7.  “I love this filly,” jockey Jake Noonan said.  “I learned to ride on her dam and this one has got a real will to win.

“I owed the owners.  She should have won at Wangaratta earlier this season but I stuffed up.”

A black-type win at Caulfield will also go a long way to repaying the $450,000 Special Diva cost as a yearling when offered by Goodwood Farm.  Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) bought her at the 2015 Inglis Easter Sale on behalf of owners Rob and June Harding.

Snitzel sired her from Jacqueline Rouge (Ne Coupez Pas) who won a Listed Tatts Mile at Eagle Farm and second dam Northeast Sheila (Keltrice) won a G3 Blue Diamond Preview at Caulfield.  Both fillies were trained by Jake’s father Tony Noonan.

Special Diva is prepared by Mick Price and he has mapped out further autumn assignments in the G2 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 25 and G2 Kewney Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on March 11.

Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia (FBAA) was formed in 1998 to maintain, improve and develop the standards, status and services of bloodstock agents throughout Australia.  Its members operate with the utmost integrity and professionalism and are bound by the strict Industry Code of Conduct.

The list of FBAA members can be found at: www.bloodstockagents.com.au/our-members

SPECIAL DIVA