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OTI Racing’s impressive import Diaghan is set to make his Australian debut for the Peter Moody stable at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

OTI Racing’s impressive import Diaghan is set to make his Australian debut for the Peter Moody stable at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Diaghan, a winner on debut and G3 placed from his two starts as a 2YO in France, made an impression with a strong barrier trial win over 1190m at Cranbourne last week.

The 4YO son of Lawman, who raced six times in France for a win and two placings over distances from 1400m up to 2400m, is a close relation to Bauer, the OTI-owned stayer who was beaten a lip by Viewed in the 2008 Melbourne Cup.

Bauer and Diaghan’s grand dams are sisters and this connection influenced OTI is to make a successful bid for him after he finished fourth over 2000m at his third career start at Longchamp in April of 2014 in the hope he can make the same impact in Australia as his classy relation.

“We always live in hope,” said OTI Racing’s Simon O’Donnell.

O’Donnell said he last week’s trial win by Diaghan, when he rolled to the front to win by 1.5 lengths, was a positive sign from the import, who is nominated for a 1500m at Moonee Valley.

“It was the first time he had been put under stress since he’s been here and it was nice to see him acquit himself really well,” O’Donnell said.

“A key ingredient to a lot of these international horses is to be patient and this bloke will be no different. You just let them tell you when they’re ready to go.

“It will be good to see him get to the races and we’ll see where we go from there.”

The Longchamp event where Diaghan finished fourth was a significant race for OTI Racing as the syndicate also purchased the winner Gailo Chop.

Gailo Chop has continued racing successfully in Europe for OTI, winning two Group races after his purchase last year plus a last start second in the G1 Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp on May 24 at his first start for nine months.

He is now set to head to Royal Ascot for the G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes ahead of an expected trip to Australia for the spring.

OTI is enjoying a good run with its European team with another purchase Etna winning his first race for the syndicate over 2100m at Strasbourg in France last week.

Etna, by Montjeu, has recorded three wins and two placings from his five career starts and is also set to race at Royal Ascot.