Former army captain enjoying the training life

 By Glenn Davis

Toowoomba trainer Cameron Richardson has no regrets giving up full-time service in the Australian army and is enjoying the decision to focus on training.

Richardson was a captain in the Australian Army for 10 years before he made the tough decision to quit four years ago.

A son of popular Toowoomba trainer Harry Richardson, the 41-year-old has a team of 10 in work at Clifford Park.

Richardson’s first winner was Zuma California who won five of his 27 starts and just missed qualifying for the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap in 2022 after finishing seventh in The Gateway at Eagle Farm.

However, he later found Zuma California chipped his fetlock at his previous start which required the surgical removal of several bone chips.

Richardson has trained several metropolitan winners during his short stint training and is hoping to add to the list with Diamantina Rose in the Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1000 metres at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.

“I won three races in town with Zuma California before he retired and a few others as well,” he said.

“I’m expecting Diamantina Rose to be very competitive in town on her recent form.”

Diamantina Rose is coming off a last start win over 1000 metres in a Benchmark race at Ballina on October 4.

“She led that day and was only 0.1 of a second outside the track record,” Richardson said.

“I was told it was the second fastest time over 1000 metres ever at Ballina.”

A five-year-old daughter of Worthy Cause, Diamantina Rose has started 17 times for six wins and 10 placings including a third over 1000 metres at Eagle Farm at her only city start in July.

“She came out of the barriers a bit awkward that day and led in a real hot tempo race,” Richardson said.

“She did most of her early racing around 800 metres but she’s learnt to relax a lot more as she’s got older.

“She likes to lead but she races best when she’s not pressured in front.

“I just hope she begins a bit better and if she does, she’ll race well.”

Richardson has no big plans in mind if Diamantina Rose extends her winning record.

“Her wins have been in the country and provincials so far and her rating is up where it’s starting to hurt,” he said.

“There’s not many places for her to race now but in town.”