Surf Dancer Turns it Around in BRC Sprint

Mark Smith - Saturday May 20

After finishing last in the $775,000 The Archer at Rockhampton on April 30, Surf Dancer (IRE) gave lie to that effort when scything between runners to claim the Group III Ladbrokes BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Surf Dancer turns it a round (image Grant Courtney)

Surf Dancer turns it a round (image Grant Courtney)

Ridden by Josh Parr for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the son of Lope de Vega (IRE) darted back to the rail to mount a challenge in the straight. The 6yo gelding defeated the NZ-trained Pierro gelding Dragon Leap by a head with three-quarters of a length back to the fast-finishing Cardinal Gem (Choisir) in third.  

Adrian Bott said he put a line through Surf Dancer’s most recent start.

“Unfortunately, things didn’t work out in Rockhampton,” Bott said.

“Maybe it was the travel up there. He’s been able to bounce back really well here.

“We thought this race may be a bit sharp for him. We saw early in the race that they went strong early, and Josh struggling to hold his position.

“He was able to get the right runs on the inside, and he was strong late.

“He’s a European-raced horse, and they always enjoy a bit of give in the ground. The tempo was a good test for him, so it may give him a bit of stamina.

“Undoubtedly, he’s most effective over the mile trip, but he’s been great today.

“We were more using this race as a set up for a nice mile race in a fortnight (in preference to putting in a late nom for the Stradbroke).”

Surf Dancer (image Grant Courtney)

Surf Dancer (image Grant Courtney)

The Group II Shannon Stakes winner at Rosehill last September, Surf Dancer (IRE) advances his record to seven wins, three thirds from 23 starts, with earnings of $666,231.

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. 

Bred by Skymarc Farm and Qatar Bloodstock, Surf Dancer (IRE) is the best of three winners from as many to race out of the stakes-winning Invincible Spirit mare Beach Belle, a half-sister to Group 1 Critérium de Saint-Cloud winner Dubai Mile (Roaring Lion) and dual Listed winner Naadirr (Oasis Dream). 

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Race Result - Ladbrokes Brc Sprint Gr3 1350m

Doomben Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:18.83
1
Surf Dancer
- 6g Lope De Vega (IRE) x Beach Belle (GB) (Invincible Spirit (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: J Parr 57.5
2
0.2
Dragon Leap
- 6g Pierro (AUS) x Pontiana (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: L O'Sullivan & A Scott Rdr: O P Bosson 56.5
3
1.0
Cardinal Gem
- 4g Choisir (AUS) x Eloquent Ruby (AUS) (Turffontein (AUS))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: Jordan Childs 58
4
1.1
Scallopini
- 8g Snitzel (AUS) x Rose Of Mulan (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: S O'Dea & M Hoysted Rdr: Boris Thornton 60
5
2.0
Hilal
- 4h Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Salma (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Ryan Maloney 56
6
2.2
Vinco
- 6g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Percussive (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Ben Thompson 55.5
7
2.3
Sinawann
- 6h Kingman (GB) x Simawa (IRE) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: J R Collett 57.5
8
2.4
Lady Of Honour
- 4m No Nay Never (USA) x Majesty (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: Jake Bayliss 54
9
2.6
Holyfield
- 5g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Hurtle Myrtle (AUS) (Dane Shadow (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: S T Collett 58
10
3.4
Ucalledit
- 5g Zacinto (GB) x Special Bay (AUS) (Al Maher (AUS))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: A Mallyon 54.5
11
3.6
Excelida
- 6m Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Lady Sayyida (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: Tim Clark 55
12
3.8
Charmmebaby
- 6m Charm Spirit (IRE) x Lithe (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: L J Mayfield-Smith Rdr: Taylor Marshall 54
13
4.3
Kiku
- 5m Zoustar (AUS) x Atotori (AUS) (Haradasun (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
14
6.3
Coal Crusher
- 5g Turffontein (AUS) x Media Academy (AUS) (Royal Academy (USA))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: S Clipperton 56.5
15
6.5
Dark Destroyer
- 4g Proisir (AUS) x All Can Party (AUS) (All American (AUS))
Tnr: L O'Sullivan & A Scott Rdr: N Rawiller 59.5
16
7.7
Bacchanalia
- 4g Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Thalia (AUS) (Medaglia D'Oro (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: James Orman 55.5
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