Gerald Ryan-trained Dances On Stars maintained his strong record at the Gold Coast with an impressive victory in the 2014 Prime Minister’s Cupthis morning.
Dances On Stars returned to the winners stall with an impressive victory in the 2014 Prime Minister's Cup at the Gold Coast this afternoon. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Dances On Stars has previously had two race starts at the Gold Coast, finishing second behind Sizzling in the Listed Ken Russell Memorial Classic in 2012 and third in the 2013 Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas, but broke through for his maiden win at the unique track in dominant fashion this afternoon.
Jockey Michael Cahill settled Dances On Stars towards the tail of the field in the early stages of the race and she worked into the race nicely before being taken wide coming into the straight.
Dances On Stars had plenty of ground to make up in the final stages of the race, but showed his trademark turn-of-foot to storm clear of the rest of the field to score a eye-catching victory from Final Crescendo and Benny’s Buttons.
The Snitzel gelding started his summer preparation with a narrow win in the Listed Carrington Stakes (1100m) at Royal Randwick on New Year’s Day and he was narrowly denied a second straight win by Emblems in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Gosford on January 10.
After a freshen-up, Dances On Stars finished a fair fifth behind Terravista in the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on February 22 and made up ground late in the Listed National Sprint (1400m) at Canberra on March 9 before finishing fourth in the Group 3 Sebring Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on April 5.
David Kelly-trained Final Crescendo was making his debut at Listed level after scoring a strong win in the Canadian Club Handicap (1200m) at Doomben on April 12 and produced the best performance of his career to finish second, while veteran gelding Benny’s Button maintained his stellar form with a third place finish.
Dances On Stars has not been included in the nominations for any of the Group 1 event that will be held during the 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, but is expected to remain in Queensland for races like the Group 3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben on May 17.
