Life at the Club

Group 1 Harrison-Dawson winner Dewana Star will bypass next month’s Brisbane Cup after pulling up sore following his fourth placing in the Group Listed Pink Diamond Champion Sprinter at Bendigo.

Co-trainer Matt Dewan revealed the star chaser sustained an injury to his fibula and is also overcoming hock soreness, prompting connections to alter plans and focus on a bigger campaign later in the year.

“The plan all along was Brisbane, but when he pulled up sore, we decided to focus on getting him right for the Maturity Classic and the rest of what could be a big year in Melbourne and Sydney,” Dewan said.

Dewana Star started favourite in the Pink Diamond Champion Sprinter but was unable to make ground on winner Crackerjack Ralf after striking trouble at the start.

The Pink Diamond Finals night proved a frustrating one for the Dewan kennel, which went to Bendigo with favourites in two Group Listed events. Alongside Dewana Star, Dewana Lynette headed the market in the Pink Diamond Princess.

Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on their side.

“We had a shocker,” Dewan said.

“Lynette sustained a fracture in her wrist which will see her sidelined for around three months.”

While two of the kennel’s stars are on the sidelines, another youngster has emerged as one to watch.

Dewana Family went bang at The Meadows last week from box eight in a time of 29.77 seconds over the 525 metres.

Dewana Family announced himself with a brilliant best-of-the-night performance at The Meadows, stopping the clock in 29.77 seconds over 525 metres. The time was half a length faster than anything Dewana Star has recorded at the venue to date.

The run caught the eye of race caller James Van de Maat, who suggested in his call that Dewana Family had thrust himself into Phoenix calculations – despite the $1.65 million slot race still being six months away.

“Our goal is to purchase a Phoenix slot,” Dewan said.

And while the immediate focus is on getting Dewana Star and Dewana Lynette back to full fitness, the emergence of Dewana Family ensures there is plenty for the Dewan kennel to look forward to in the second half of 2026.