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New Zealand Racing News
Wednesday, July 26 2017

Well-travelled stayer Chance To Dance is likely to follow a tried and true path in his quest for Group One spring glory.

Chance To Dance  - Bradley Photographers

The Irish-bred son of Teofilo is making good early progress toward his New Zealand debut for trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards.

“He’s in work and doing very well,” Richards said. “We’ll be looking at giving him a trial at Avondale and the last leg of the series at Hawke’s Bay will be his aim.” 

The Listed Haunui Farm Karaka Classic at Pukekohe in September is being eyed as Chance To Dance’s only appearance before the Gr.1 Livamol Classic at Hastings on October 7.

“Willie Cazals (who won the 2016 Livamol) went that way and we think our bloke will only need the one lead-up run,” Richards said. 

“He’ll be nominated for the cups in Melbourne and there’s also the New Zealand Cup, but we have to be careful where he is in the handicap.

“He’s a versatile type and in our eyes, with the blinkers on, he’s a 2000m weight-for-age horse.”

Chance To Dance won five races, including the Listed Carlingford Stakes, in his native Ireland before adding a further two victories and a black type placing to his record in Australia. 

He was purchased in the autumn by Te Akau principal David Ellis through Richards for $A260,000 on behalf of John Galvin’s Fortuna Syndications.

His first appearance for his new owners resulted in a runner-up finish in the Gr.1 Sydney Cup, only for the race to be declared null and void.

Just past the winning post, Almoonqith broke down and his rider James Doyle and Who Shot Thebarman’s jockey Blake Shinn were dislodged and on the ground when stewards made the decision to call the cup a no-race due to safety concerns.

A fortnight later, Chance To Dance finished fifth in the re-run of the Randwick feature.

Posted by: Race Desk AT 06:01 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
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