Wanted Diva brave in Moonee Valley victory

Wanted Diva has made the transition from provincial company to city grade with a fighting win at Moonee Valley.

The Lindsay Park-trained filly scored at Cranbourne last month before holding on to score narrowly in the Dominant Cleaning Solutions Handicap on Saturday.

Ridden by Craig Williams, Wanted Diva ($4.80) scored by a nose from Behave ($5.50) with the $3.90 favourite Wired two lengths away third.

Darren Dance, from Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, said the filly was raced by many of the owners of the dam Rock Diva.

“She’s the third foal we’ve got out of the mare and most of the owners that raced the mare have stayed in this filly,” Dance said.

“She’s good and she’s tough and has come on from Cranbourne.

Dance and Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock have been instrumental in buying international stayers for the Melbourne Cup, including last year’s runner-up Heartbreak City.

But their business now also includes Australian-bred gallopers and with 35 mares they are now breeding their own stock.

“With the yearling prices the way they are it’s good to have a few at home,” Dance said.

“This way it keeps the prices reasonable and we can get a few people involved.”

The victory of Wanted Diva was Lindsay Park 36th two-year-old winner for the season.

A milestone was reached for Lindsay Park at Bendigo just 20 minutes after Wanted Diva’s victory when Booradley brought up the stable’s 250th winner for the season.

David Hayes missed Saturday’s meeting, preferring to watch his co-trainer son Ben and younger sons Will and JD play country football for Euroa, not far from their Lindsay Park training complex.