Dances On Stars produced a number of competitive performances through the Brisbane Winter Carnival, and trainer Gerald Ryan is confident the gelding is placed well in Saturday’s Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) at Royal Randwick first-up.
Dances On Stars is primed for a good first-up run in Saturday’s Razor Sharp Handicap at Randwick. Photo: Daniel Costello
Dances On Stars has posted four wins and a further eight minors through his 32 career starts so far; returning this year for eighth in the Listed Chief De Beers Handicap (1110m) on April 11th before running on for an impressive third behind subsequent two-time Group 1 champion Srikandi and Ball Of Muscle in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) a fortnight later.
Continuing to compete well through races like the Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1300m) and Group 3 Tattersall’s Anniversary Stakes (1200m), the Snitzel gelding had clearly had enough by the time he finished ninth in the Listed Civic Stakes (1350m) at Rosehill on July 4th.
Conceding a race like the Magic Millions Sprint (1000m) on the Gold Coast in January might be a little too good a target, Ryan told RSN he is pleased with Dances On Stars’ condition and rates the horse a competitive chance.
“He’s a bit tricky because he’s not a Magic Millions horse, he’s just a little bit below the good ones,” Ryan said.
“He’s another one who has one $500,000 in Stakes money for only four races.
“He’s come back well, is working as sharp as he’s ever worked and is at 1200m first-up fresh, and his fresh form is good especially if they run along up front.
“He’ll hit the line well and will run well. He’ll be a good each-way chance and will probably be at 25-1.”
Dances On Stars has been largely kept to winter and summer preparations since first appearing on course competitively in 2011 and has posted a number of impressive results at black type level.
A standout for Ryan over the 2013/14 summer in particular, Dances On Stars won the Listed Carrington Stakes (1100m) first-up; progressing to second in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) before placing fifth in the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) at the beginning of autumn.
A 2015 Razor Sharp Handicap field of sixteen is due to be completed and released by midday, Wednesday.
