Group One placegetter Danzdanzdance is on target to begin her countdown to the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on October 6.
The daughter of Mastercraftsman has been ticking over in work with her Ruakaka trainers Chris Gibbs and Michelle Bradley and will make her four-year-old debut on her home track in a fortnight.
“The Livamol is the main aim for her and we’re just bringing her up quietly for it,” Gibbs said. “Hopefully she’ll get in it. She’s 19th equal in order with our other horse, Hello It’s Me.”
Danzdanzdance has won just one race, but proved one of the better three-year-olds last season with a second in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) followed by an unlucky third in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) after being hampered inside the last 300m.
On the strength of the Derby performance she was taken to Sydney and performed creditably for fifth in the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and sixth in the Gr.1 ATC Oaks (2400m).
“In hindsight we probably should have knocked off after the Derby. She’d come a long way in a short time,” Gibbs said.
“She still went well over there, but every other year it has usually been wet for the Oaks. This time it was the fastest Oaks in history and she’s better with the cut in the ground.
“She’s grown up a lot through the trip.”
Gibbs plans to try and avoid heavy tracks on the path to the Livamol Classic.
Meanwhile, stablemates Comin’through, Richie McHorse and Jake The Muss are also coming up well for staying assignments.
“Comin’through was nominated for Saturday, but we pulled him out because of the track,” Gibbs said.
“He’ll have a run over 1400m then step straight up to 2100m and be set for the New Zealand Cup. He can back up so he’ll get down to Christchurch early and run on the first day (in the Listed Metropolitan Handicap, 2500m).”
The Auckland Cup may be the long-range aim for Richie McHorse this season.
“It’s the kind of race that could suit him and we can just take our time with him,” Gibbs said.
Richie McHorse recorded his fifth win when taking the Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) in April after being a model of consistency in his lead-up races with two wins and three seconds from as many starts.
Jake The Muss picked up a win and a few placings earlier this year which has caused the stable to lift their sights with him in the new season.
“He’ll head along the New Zealand Cup path with Comin’through,” Gibbs said.
