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Three-year-olds on target for stakes races.

A pair of three-year-old's by Coolmore Stud-based sire Pierro (Lonhro) emerged as contenders for stakes targets as Darling Diamond (3 f ex Diamond Drille by Al Maher) and Private Cheetah (3 c ex Tiare by Flying Spur) broke their maidens at Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday. 

Having the third of his career, the Mark Newnham-trained Darling Diamond scooted clear in the Sky Racing Active Maiden Plate (1400m) to beat So Far Away (Snitzel) by two lengths, while Hot Spring Gold (Written Tycoon) was another neck away in third. 

Darling Diamond was bred by the Kolivos family, who raced her sire Pierro and Diamond Drille.

"Mum and dad, I had a bit to do with, so it's pleasing to get a win with her for the Kolivos family," Newnham said.

"She is a lovely, well-bred filly who has kept improving the whole prep.

"Her first ever trial she showed a bit of talent straight away and we put her in the paddock.

"I think she will keep getting better so the autumn will be more her time but if we can get a Listed win before that it would be much appreciated."

Newnham nominated the Reginald Allen Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Randwick on October 17 as the target for Darling Diamond.

The three-year-old filly is the first foal out of 2014 Queen of the Turf Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Diamond Drille (Al Maher) who is a sister to Listed winner M'Lady Pedrille - the dam of fellow Listed winner Ragged Rascal (Denman) - and a half-sister to multiple Listed scorer Madame Pedrille (Secret Savings). 

The filly's third dam is five time winner Sister Pedrille (Cardinal), who produced Group 2 winner Mamzelle Pedrille (Zoffany) - the dam of O'Lonhro (Lonhro). 

Further back this is the same family as Listed winner Sundance (I Am Invincible), Grade 2 scorer Tamaanee (Teofilo) and Group 3 winner and successful sire I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit). 

In 2018 Diamond Drille produced colt by I Am Invincible - now named Diamond Drummer - and in 2019 she produced a sister to Darling Diamond. 

Meanwhile in the next race of the day, the Gary and John Moore-trained Private Cheetah - who was having the second start of his career - prevailed in a close finish to beat Easifar (Pride Of Dubai) by a neck in the Impending at Darley Maiden Handicap (1250m). 

Gary Moore said the stable had a nice opinion of the three-year-old and would look to raise the bar.

"He's got a lot of ability and I'm sure he's going to go on from today," Moore said.

"We're probably going to look at the Brian Crowley with him."

The Brian Crowley Stakes (Listed, 1200m) is at Randwick on October 24.

Purchased by John's son George for $340,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Newgate Farm draft, the colt is out Flying Spur (Danehill) mare Tiare, who is herself a half-sister to 2017 Gilgai Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) winner Keen Array (Bel Esprit). 

Further back this is the same family as Hong Kong Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) winner The Duke (Danehill) and Chambord (Zabeel), who won at Listed level and also finished second in the New Zealand 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m). 

Pierro is the sire of 23 stakes winners in total, headed by six Group 1 winners and he is standing at Coolmore for a fee of $137,500 (inc GST).