Group One-winning mare Danzdanzdance pushed star mare Melody Belle all the way in the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Saturday and her connections believe that run has topped her off nicely ahead of her Sydney campaign.

“I’m just ecstatic with how our mare has pulled up after the race,” said Chris Gibbs, who trains the four-year-old with Michelle Bradley.

“She looks wonderful, she didn’t really tighten up with the run.

“On Monday I put a saddle on her and she was just bouncing. She hasn’t left an oat, so I am really happy.

“The two mares went really hard on a heavy track, and it does take it out of them, but I’m really happy. It just makes you feel good about putting her on the plane next Monday.”

Danzdanzdance is being set for a two-run Sydney campaign where she will team-up once again with jockey Opie Bosson, who was committed to ride Melody Belle in Saturday’s contest.

“Michelle will meet her over there and we are staying with the Lee boys,” Gibbs said.

“She’s going back into the same yard she stayed in as a three-year-old when she went there and she settled in there beautifully.

“That’s a big thing when you travel that far. If you can put them back into the same routine as what she has already been through she should just settle in and let down really quickly.

“Opie hopped off and he will hop straight back on again. We are happy to have him onboard, he does know her really well.”

The grey daughter of Mastercraftsman will initially contest the Gr.1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on March 23, before a potential tilt at the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) where she will likely meet glamour mare Winx.

“We decided on the Ranvet and then the Queen Elizabeth. It is what it is, you can’t be scared off by one horse (Winx),” Gibbs said.

“She is going to have to prove herself in the Ranvet (before starting in the Queen Elizabeth.”