The Big Dance to miss the Spring Carnival

Smart filly The Big Dance is out of the upcoming Melbourne Spring Carnival after crashing through the fence at Moonee Valley last Saturday.

Jockey Dean Yendall had to forfeit his remaining rides at Moonee Valley after crashing through  the fence on The Big  Dance. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Jockey Dean Yendall had to forfeit his remaining rides at Moonee Valley after crashing through the fence on The Big Dance. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Bendigo trainer Danny Curran had high expectations for The Big Dance after she scored a two and a quarter lengths win on debut in the $250,000 UAM Pty Ltd VOBIS Gold Rush (1000m) on her home track on March 21.

Curran was looking to start the Oamaru Force filly in the Group 2 $200,000 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on September 12 and was also going to nominate her for the Group 1 $500,000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 10.

Last Saturday’s run in the $80,000 United Refrigeration BenchMark 78 Handicap (1000m) for three year old fillies was going to give Curran a good guide heading into the Spring but after leading, The Big Dance faded in the straight to be beaten five and a quarter lengths for fifth behind Petits Filous and then when she was being pulled up ducked sideways and crashed through the inside running rail.

Jockey Dean Yendall also avoided serious injury but was stood down by the club doctor for the remainder of the meeting.

Curran said that The Big Dance has escaped serious injuries but was still sore over here back section and will give her every chance to fully recover meaning a Spring campaign is no longer viable.

“Obviously the whole spring is aborted for two reasons,” Curran told Racing.com’s Correct Weight.

“One is it’s going to take her a while to get over it physically, and more importantly, mentally.

“But also… she wasn’t handling the ground at all.

“In the race itself she didn’t run anything like the times she runs – at any of the sectionals.

“She’s a bone-dry tracker and wants a big track as well.”

Curran was looking forward to competing in some of the showcase races during the Spring Carnival and even though he is disappointed, he knows that he still has a smart filly for the future.

“For a little stable like us to be planning and hoping for a lucrative spring and to show the horse in the best light and to have that all crushed in the first day takes a bit of getting over,” he said.

“When we look back on it a lot of things went wrong but we’ve still got a nice horse.”

“She’s very sore over the back. We haven’t had the vets go over her, we’ll just leave her quiet for a day or two.

“She’s bright enough in herself.”

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.