Dances On Stars has been included in the 2015 Tattersall’s 150th Anniversary Stakes field and trainer Gerald Ryan believes that the return to the Gold Coast is an advantage for the talented sprinter in the Group 3 event this weekend.
Trainer Gerald Ryan is hopeful Dances On Stars can return to winning form in the 2015 Tattersall’s 150th Anniversary Stakes at the Gold Coast on Saturday. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Dances On Stars was beaten by less than two lengths when he finished third behind Srikandi in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at the Gold Coast on April 25 and he had no luck in running in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1300m) at the Sunshine Coast on May 16 before he made up ground late when sixth in the Group 2 QTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben on May 30.
Ryan told Racing Ahead this morning that Dances On Stars has had plenty of excuses for his lackluster recent form and he is confident that a return to the Gold Coast gives the Snitzel gelding an excellent chance to record his first victory since he took out the Listed Prime Minister’s Cup (1300m) at the Gold Coast on May 3 last year.
“His Gold Coast form is terrific and his wet track form is really good – the only place he handles a wet track properly is here at the Gold Coast,” Ryan said.
“He drew off the track in the Glasshouse and he had to make a long run on him which is not him and he missed the start in a fast run race at Doomben.
“They don’t do sectionals there at Doomben, but his sectionals would have been terrific because they ran home in 33.4 and he made up three lengths on them.
“He has never run a decent race at Doomben and all his form in Queensland has been at the Gold Coast and Eagle Farm.
“I give him a real chance and if he runs up to his first-up run at the Gold Coast then he is in the race up to his ears.”
Dances On Stars will face 15 rivals in the Anniversary Stakes and he will need to perform at his very best to record his first race win in over 12 months.
Excellantes, Whittington and Lesley’s Choice are all taking winning form into the Anniversary Stakes after taking out Hinkler Handicap, Lightning Handicap and a Class Three Handicap at Ipswich respectively, while Target In Sight heads to Queensland following his fourth place finish behind Wouldnt It Be Nice in the June Stakes at Royal Randwick on June 6.
