Wet Track No Worry for Kiwi Raider

Media Release - Tuesday March 19

Multiple Group One winning New Zealand mare Danzdanzdance has arrived in Sydney for a tilt at Saturday's Group I Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and although the dismal weather forecast has many connections on edge, the same cannot be said for trainers Chris Gibbs and Michelle Bradley.

Danzdanzdance - Trish DunnellThe Mastercraftsman mare put her rivals to the sword in the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) and Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) on soft and heavy going respectively and she travels to Sydney on the back of a narrow defeat to New Zealand's star mare Melody Belle in an epic showdown in the Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m), again on a heavy surface.

"Michelle is really pleased with the way she has travelled and said she ate about two thirds of her feed, despite arriving quite late, and she has drunk plenty of water which is the main thing," Gibbs said.

"They are staying with Jim and Greg Lee in Randwick, the same place she stayed last year.

"She settled well last time so hopefully she will bounce out of it and put on that little bit of weight that she shed off on the trip, which is usually the normal thing."

Gibbs said Danzdanzdance is a different horse to the physically and mentally fragile filly that finished fifth in the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and sixth in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) 12 months ago.

"She is just more mature and doing really well between her runs this time," Gibbs said.

"We set our plan regarding Sydney some time ago, whereas last year we threw a nomination in for Australia as an option."

Gibbs said he felt Danzdanzdance didn't show her best in Sydney as a three-year-old after a lengthy New Zealand campaign where she went from breaking maiden ranks to running third in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).

The Ruakaka trainer is pleased with the way the mare has come through her narrow defeat in the New Zealand Stakes, which was a last-minute addition to her program.

"The way she came through it, I'm actually very happy we did run her because I think the track is going to be a bit testing on Saturday by the looks of it," Gibbs said.

"I certainly want it to rain, that's going to help us. You never want it bottomless but she will go into it fit and if I had a choice between one extreme or the other I'd take heavy over firm."

Gibbs was proud of the mare's effort in what was a thrilling New Zealand Stakes where Danzdanzdance and Melody Belle staged a two-horse battle for much of the length of the Ellerslie straight.

"It was just a great race and it was billed as being a match-race," he said.

"Sometimes the event doesn't match the hype but I think everyone got their money's-worth out of that one, it was brilliant.

"I know how good Melody Belle is and I just hope that form stacks up over in Australia as that is where we would like to compete well.

"I think we can, we are in good order and the nice thing is she has been there before so that gives us a bit of confidence about going back.

"Everyone says 'where are you heading next' but it is all about this race on Saturday really.

"Our target is the Ranvet and then we will worry about everything else after that."

Danzdanzdance is rated a $7 third favourite behind the James Cummings-trained Avilius and will be ridden by Opie Bosson. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday November 20
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.