Trainer David Brideoake is confident tough frontrunner Dance With Her can bounce back from her last start Sydney failure when she tackles Thursday’s Listed Warrnambool Cup.
Brideoake said he was prepared to forgive the five-year-old for her fading second last to Western Symbol in the Listed JRA Plate (2000m) at Randwick on April 21 when she led from a wide barrier.
“She used a bit of gas early from the gates and I think it is probably worth giving her the benefit of the doubt,” Brideoake said.
“I’m not going to get myself too wound up about one out. Afterall, she’s had a lot of ins.”
Dance With Her has nine wins and 12 placings from 36 runs and will be ridden by Steven Arnold.
She has paid the price for her overall consistency and will carry the number three saddlecloth and 57.5kg in Thursday’s 2350-metre Warrnambool feature.
She has been a market drifter from $18 to $21 with TAB Sportsbet but her lead up form into Sydney was remarkable and for the Cup she is promised a rain-affected track, which she loves.
Dance With Her won the Golden Mile (1600m) first-up on dead ground at Bendigo on March 17 then relished the heavy conditions to win the Pakenham Cup (1750m).
She then finished a solid sixth to Folding Gear in the Group Three Easter Cup (2000m) before her JRA Cup flop.
“She deserves her chance,” said Brideoake, who co-trains the mare with David Feek.
“The ground conditions are definitely playing into her hands at Warrnambool.
“I am happy with the way she is going into the race, we have got a very good rider on her and she’s in pretty good shape.
“The one thing about the Sydney race was that it gave her a decent hitout and the distance appeals a little more the way she is going this preparation.”
The Warrnambool Cup has the potential to provide a massive pay day for Darren Weir who has two entries, Magnifique Soleil and Hurdy Gurdy Man.
If either wins Weir will claim a $42,500 Mercedes-Benz, which is the trainers’ bonus at the carnival.
Weir has already won more than the mandatory three races over the three-day fixture but needs to add a feature race to the list to take the car home.
Pay The Aces, who is in Thursday’s Grand Annual Steeplechase, could also provide Weir with the feature win he needs.
An additional $50,000 will be awarded to the connections of Magnifique Soleil should the gelding complete the City Of Warrnambool Handicap-Warrnambool Cup double after he claimed the first leg on Tuesday.
Hurdy Gurdy Man, who also won at Warrnambool on Tuesday, is third emergency for the Cup.
