A last-start winner of the Group III Northwood Plume Stakes at Caulfield, She Dances kept the roll going with a dominant performance in the Listed Seppelt Wines Chautauqua Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
Ridden by Linda Meech for Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, the 4-year-old daughter of Street Boss (USA) tracked the early leader Semillion before taking control on straightening. She Dances defeated the Shalaa (IRE) gelding Semillion by one and a half lengths, with the Shooting To Win gelding Ranges a half-length back in third.
Carrying the colours of Limerick Lane’s Gerry Ryan, She Dances advances her record to seven wins and a second from 13 starts with earnings of $757,565.
The win brought up a milestone 300 winners ridden by Linds Meech for Peter Moody.
“It’s fantastic; Linda’s been a part of the team for so long, much longer than I’ve been around for,” Coleman said.
“For her to get this win tonight, three hundred, it’s so special and Sarah Moody and a couple of Pete’s daughters, Celine and Kara, are here as well. Iit’s just so special, she’s a massive part of the team, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.
“She well and truly earned that faith, and she gels so well with this horse.”
Linda Meech said it was an emotional moment for her.
“I went up to Queensland to be an apprentice for him, and many people told me I was mad, but he’s just a gun trainer and he’s so genuine and loyal and a man of his word,” Meech said.
“His wife and his family and all his staff over the years have become like my family, so it’s amazing like Trumby (Luke Nolen) and all the rest of them, can’t thank them enough.
“She’s just a little jet. I actually felt she was a little bit flat in the run, but she was just tricking, she just switched off so nicely. She’s just a pleasure to ride, and that was my 300th winner for Moods, and his lovely wife Sarah and daughter Celine are here tonight; they’re like my family, they’re my Australian family, and I love them to bits; it’s like riding a Group One winner.”
Bred by Des Pope, She Dances was a $180,000 purchase for John Foote Bloodstock from the Blue Gum Farm draft at the 2021 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
The daughter of Street Boss (USA) is the first foal of the winning Lonhro mare Charleston Dancer.
A half-sister to Listed winner Chloe In Paris (Exceed And Excel) and Inglis Banner (LR) winner Ideas Man (Brazen Beau), Charleston Dancer is a daughter of the Pope family’s multiple Group winner and dual Group 1 placed Innovation Girl (Rubiton).
Chloe In Paris is the dam of Bold Bastille, who is a favourites chance at his career debut in Saturday’s $500,000 Inglis Banner at Moonee Valley.
Charleston Dancer has a 2-year-old filly and yearling filly by Snitzel and revisited Street Boss (USA) last spring.
