Sparkle Diamond, a progressive-looking imported three-year-old colt opened the 99th staging of Derby Day sponsored by Boom on Saturday (June 29) at Caymanas Park with a run that promised a lot for the future and one which surely caught the attention of racegoers.

Put forward by veteran conditioner Ralph Porter in impeccable condition for his second start on local soil, the far-striding chestnut stamped his obvious class on the Restricted Allowance II for native-bred three-year-olds and upwards — non-winners of two and imported three-year-olds and upwards maidens — field of runners to win the Boom-Rang Trophy in an opening winning time of 1:05.3 for 5 ½ furlongs (1,100m).

Not the best away, the imported speedball owned by Ven Deezle then coupled up under his rider Shane Ellis to hit the front, and then it was in a merry chase for the others. S parkle Diamond won by 9½ lengths while easing down.

Following the command performance, trainer Porter spoke with The Supreme Racing Guide.

“I am very pleased with the victory. Very, very pleased and satisfied. This is based on training and preparation for this race. He ran once before but I was not the trainer. This is the first time I am training him and found Sparkle Diamond to be quite a useful horse,” Porter added.

Now that he has shown his brighter side from his second start on local soil, what can be expected from the colt going forward?

“Well it is early days yet, and we will take it one day at a time and see what happens down the road as I am expecting him to go places,” Porter offered optimistically.