Diss Is Dramatic (NZ) Delivers at Riccarton Again

North Island filly Diss Is Dramatic (NZ) (Dissident) has ventured south and struck at stakes level for the second time in five months, capturing Saturday’s $90,000 Group Three War Decree Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton. 

Bought by syndicators Go Racing for $60,000 from Cambridge Stud’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2021, Diss Is Dramatic has now earned $113,545 in an eight-start, three-win career.

Diss Is Dramatic is trained by Lisa Latta at Awapuni. She had previously travelled to Christchurch as an autumn two-year-old and taken out the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) in May.

A last-start placegetter at the same venue, Diss Is Dramatic faced a better-credentialled line-up this time around, including the reigning Group One New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) favourite Cognito (So You Think).

But she showed that she was well and truly up to the task, dominating the race from in front and kicking strongly down the straight to beat Cognito by a length and a quarter.

“That was a really good win,” Latta said. “I think the blinkers going on were a big assist, as she was very focussed throughout the race.

“We thought the ideal scenario would be to take a sit just in behind them, but nothing wanted to lead, so Tina (Comignaghi, jockey) took the bull by the horns and dictated to them.

“They didn’t go a very quick time, so she got things all her own way, but she was really good in the closing stages and deserved to win after doing all the donkey work out in front.

“She also showed me she could handle a good track. I thought she might be best with the fire out, but it didn’t seem to worry her at all today.”

Nominated for both of next month’s Group One features at Riccarton – the New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) – Diss Is Dramatic was bred by Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay.

She is out of Our Drahma Queen (NZ) (Darci Brahma), a winning half-sister to Group One winner Suavito (NZ) (Thorn Park) and the Group One-placed Sultan Of Swing (NZ) (Bachelor Duke).