The locals struck first blood in the Asian Young Guns Challenge at Flemington today when Jordan Mallyon kicked home Diamondsondinside to win.

Ridden patiently during the early and middle stages of the race, Diamondsondinside came with a strong run over the concluding stages to win in great style.

Mallyon, a member of a famous Victorian racing family, is one of two Australian riders in the apprentice series – the other Adam McCabe led them up on The Tiger, but weakened to finish last.

Japan’s Ryo Takakura, who shot to the front in the straight, was second aboard Dance With Her, while Movie Mogul, the outsider in the five horse field, was third for Singapore’s Rizuan Shafiq.

“It was a bit of an ugly race to watch but he’s found a bit of form in the last couple of weeks, he was struggling prior to that,” winning trainer Luke Oliver said.

“Obviously missing the kick and being out of the lack of speed battle, maybe helped in the end.”

“He’s been in an out of form but when he finds form he tends to find it.”

 “He’s won three races this prep and won at Moonee Valley and now as a nine-year-old he’s won at Flemington, it’s great for the owners and us.”

“He’s 100% sound and the further into his prep the better he goes,” Oliver summed up.

Jordan Mallyon said the race was run a little differently than he anticipated, but in the end his mount proved too good.

“On paper there was good speed but it didn’t pan out that way,” Mallyon said.

“I was pretty happy with the way the race panned out however.”

“We followed Dance With Her into the race and we pulled out at the right time with my bloke finding the line very well.”

At the post Diamondsondinside ($6-$7-$6.50) raced clear to beat Dance With Her ($3-$3.50-$3.30) by three parts of a length, while Movie Mogul ($7-$8.50).

Diamondsondinside, a son of former Oaklands Stud based Iglesia, was purchased for $40,000 from the draft of Eureka Thoroughbreds at the 2004 Magic Millions QTIS 600 Yearling Sale.

As it stands he has won 13 races and been placed on 14 other occasions and earned a staggering $634,467.

He is a multiple stakes winner, including the Doomben Slipper as a two-year-old.

From the once winning Semipalatinsk mare Precious Pearl, Diamondsondinside is a full brother the stakes placed Miss Argyle as well as the dam of Queensland Guineas winner Express Air.

Winner: Diamondsondinside
Breeding: Iglesia-Precious Pearl (Semipalatinsk)
Race: VRC 2011 Asian Young Guns Challenge – Leg 1 (2000m)
Sold for: $40,000
Sale: 2004 Magic Millions QTIS 600 Yearling Sale
Vendor: Eureka Thoroughbreds
Buyer: McLachlan Place Racing Stables
Earnings: $634,467
Owner(s): T Schwarz, AM Forsyth, P White, D Long, J Marshall & Mrs K Couttie
Trainer: Luke Oliver (Caulfield)