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Lope De Vega Surf Dancer Off To The Big Dance

Mark Smith - Saturday September 24

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Surf Dancer (IRE) will aim for the inaugural running of  $2,000,000 The Big Dance following his win in Saturday’s Group II Ned Whisky Shannon Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.

No catching Surf Dancer (image Steve Hart)

Ridden by Regan Bayliss, the 6yo Lope De Vega gelding defeated Old Flame (GB) (Invincible Spirit) by length, with Ellsberg (Spill The Beans) a length back in third.

A €260,000 purchase for China Horse Club/Ballylinch Stud from the Jamie Railton Sales Agency consignment at the 2018 Goffs Orby Sale, Surf Dancer (IRE) was a Listed stakes-winner in the UK for William Haggas.  

The son of Lope De Vega (IRE) advances his record to six wins, and three thirds from 17 starts, with earnings of $362,731.

Adrian Bott said the $2,000,000 The Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on November 1 had been earmarked, but he will need another run before then.

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uo;It was always the plan to get him back, give him a good freshen up and a couple of runs into the Big Dance,” Bott said.

“It’s the first inception of the race this year, he’s got the qualification, and it’s worth a lot of money. We’ll look to go that way.

Surf Dancer Regan Bayliss (image Steve Hart)

“There is another run. Just have to weigh up what that is. Today was going to be the deciding factor on how forward we thought he was and how far up in grade we go. It’s good to see him proven at this class. We through him at the deep end coming here today. He has responded very well.”

Bred by Skymarc Farm and Qatar Bloodstock, Surf Dancer (IRE) is the best of two winners from three to race out of the stakes-winning Invincible Spirit mare Beach Belle. 

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Race Result - Shannon Stakes Gr2 1500m

Rosehill Track: Good(4) Time: 1:29.77
1
Surf Dancer
- 6g Lope De Vega (IRE) x Beach Belle (GB) (Invincible Spirit (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Regan Bayliss 53.5
2
0.8
Old Flame
- 5h Invincible Spirit (IRE) x Lilyfire (USA) (First Defence (USA))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Tommy Berry 53.5
3
1.8
Ellsberg
- 5h Spill The Beans (AUS) x Love Of Liberty (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: Tim Clark 58.5
Spill The Beans
4
2.8
Kirwan's Lane
- 6g Charm Spirit (IRE) x Galway (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: J A O'Shea Rdr: B Avdulla 56
5
3.2
Dr Drill
- 8g Dansili (GB) x Pongee (GB) (Barathea (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: J R Collett 55.5
6
3.5
Atishu
- 5m Savabeel (AUS) x Posy (NZ) (No Excuse Needed (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Ford 54
7
3.8
Bigboyroy
- 6g Dissident (AUS) x Follonica (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55
8
6.0
Pinarello
- 4g Tavistock (NZ) x Zonza (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: R James & R Wellwood Rdr: S Clipperton 56
9
8.5
Mount Popa
- 8g Maxios (GB) x Mimalia (USA) (Silver Hawk (USA))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: W Pike 59
10
10.8
Fourhometwo
- 5g Ajaya (GB) x Missy O' Gwaun (IRE) (King's Best (USA))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Rachel King 53
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