Novel Dancer finished a luckless second in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) and will have another opportunity to record her maiden win at Group level in the 2014 McNeil Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.
Novel Dancer finished third behind Sabatini in the Quezette Stakes at Caulfield last weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Novel Dancer stamped herself as a filly to watch when she recorded two dominant wins at Echuca and Mornington in May and was well supported heading into the Quezette Stakes, but was caught wide for the majority of the race and could finish no better than third.
Trainer Shea Eden told Racing Ahead that he was impressed with the performance of Novel Dancer in the Quezette Stakes and is happy with the condition of the Written Tycoon filly heading into the McNeil Stakes.
“She is really well,” Eden said.
“She came through that first-up run, it was a tough run, and pulled up really well.
“She is a very clean winded filly and I haven’t had to do a lot with her.
“She had a nice gallop on Saturday and just did a little bit this morning.
“She was coming off two country wins and she did that fairly easy, so it was always going to be whether she could take that next step.
“My gut feeling was that she could and to see it is very exciting heading forward.
“I am really happy to be heading to the McNeil on Saturday.”
Novel Dancer was included in the nominations for the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) that were released earlier this morning and Eden confirmed that the $500,000 event at Caulfield on October 11 was the major 2014 Spring Racing Carnival target for the talented filly.
The three-year-old is set to follow the traditional path to the Thousand Guineas and Eden said that he is looking forward to seeing how his star filly performs when she steps up in trip for the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on September 28.
“The plan will be to head to the Thousand Guineas,” Eden said.
“I am really looking forward to getting her to the Prelude and even after last preparation the 1400 was on the radar and looked a really ideal distance for her.
“After the 1400 we will be guided by how she will be suited to the mile.
“She is an exciting filly heading to that race.”
Novel Dancer is currently available at a quote of $21 in the 2014 Thousand Guineas betting market with Ladbrokes Australia.
