Diesel Train demolishes field in Valbert Marlowe Cup
TRAINER Peter-John Parsard did not sleep easy before the $820,000 Valbert Marlowe Memorial Cup.
His Diesel Train was coming off a two-month layoff, stretching out to 9 furlongs (1,600m) but nerves turned to awe on Saturday, June 13, 2026, when the four-year-old American-bred bay gelding brushed aside rivals by 16 lengths and announced himself as a serious threat going forward.
The race was a Restricted Allowance III contest for native-bred four-year-old and upwards (non-winners of four) and imported four-year-olds and upward (non-winners of three) over 9 furlongs (1,800m).
Diesel Train won in a time of 1:52.0 (24.3 x 47.3 x 1:12.0 x 1:38.2).
Trainer Peter-John Parsard (left) with his charge Diesel Train (Raddesh Roman) in the winners’ enclosure after winning the Valbert Marlowe Memorial Cup on Saturday, June 13, 2026. At right is groom Jason White. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)
Parsard did worry about the layoff and distance.
“He had a couple of issues which we have been able to sort out. I was a bit nervous coming into the race coming off a layoff going so long,” Parsard said.
“I don’t give a lot of instructions. I just told him [Raddesh Roman] to know that you are the favourite, know that you likely to have people that might want to target you and so it might not be easy for you. Just make smart decisions and ride a good race and make sure you save something up the lane,” Parsrad further said.
Roman held Diesel Train off the pace early while Brahma Bull with Tajay Suckoo set the fractions ahead of Star Quest with Robert Halledeen and Prince Roy with Tyrese Anderson leaving the 7-furlong (1,400m) point.
Diesel Train (Raddesh Roman) easily wins the Valbert Marlowe Memorial Cup on Saturday, June 13, 2026. (Photo: Naphtali Junior)
Roman did not rush. He let Diesel Train creep slowly, inching into second at the 6-furlong (1,200m) marker before surging to the front at the 5-furlong (1,000m) pole. From there it was target practice as Diesel Train opened up navigating the half-mile (800m) turn and did not stop.
Diesel Train turned on the pressure in deep stretch and cruised home ahead of Thousand Treasure with Dane Dawkins and Slam Sharpe with Richie Shakes.
Now Parsard is dreaming big. “He will now go to the Overnight Allowance level and the hope is, once you are in Overnight you are technically one win away from Grade One. So if he keeps progressing who can tell what he can do,” he said.
