The 16 starting stalls for next Saturday’s (December 2) Diamond Mile are all but full.

This after last Saturday’s Open Allowance race down the five straight (1,000m) chute, which was the final event where stakes could be earned for participation in the Diamond Mile. That Siempre Bueno won that race was of little significance to the Diamond Mile as the Anthony Nunes-trained inmate had no chance of finding a starting position in the richest race in the land.

It did, however, affect second-placed Money Magnet who, by earning $209,300, moved from 18th position to number 17 – thereby pushing down Dwayne Star, who was in the same race finishing fifth, by one slot.

Last Saturday was also the final day for trainers to indicate whether or not their horses would be running in the Diamond Mile. Close to the end of the race day the promoting company Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL) released the list of entries, and to the surprise of most, the much improved four-year-old Gary Glitter, who had already qualified based on stakes earned, was missing from the line-up.

Trainer Gordon Lewis, who owns Gary Glitter, then explained to the Supreme Racing Guide why his horse would be missing from the Diamond Mile.

“Yes, Gary Glitter will not be taking part in Saturday’s Diamond Mile as a decision has been taken to let him have a rest. Let’s face it, Gary Glitter has raced a lot this year and he now needs time to recharge.

“We believe that Gary Glitter, at four going to five, still has many more good runs in his legs, so we will give him a good check-out and see what happens, plus Gary Glitter would probably find it difficult handling a mile at this time,” Lewis indicated.

There is still another procedure required in order to confirm the final starters for the Diamond Mile.

Tomorrow there is the nomination process when trainers nominate horses for the upcoming race day, and this week the Diamond Mile is included. During this process, which is regulated by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), horses on the Diamond Mile list can be left out, meaning that those on the “also eligible” list can climb up the ladder and be included.

The nominated horses will then be checked by the JRC’s vets before a final programme is issued on Thursday with post position order, two days before the big race.

Based on the SVREL list, champion trainer Wayne DaCosta has the most entries – five – led by the impressive filly She’s A Maneater. Trainer Anthony Nunes follows with three runners: Houdini’s Magic, Bigdaddykool and Bilingual. Trainer Patrick Lynch will have two starters: Another Bullet and Talented Tony K.