It has been a long time since Danish Twist won a race and she will get one more chance before retirement in the Listed Winter Stakes.
The Kris Lees-trained mare hit a purple patch of form two years ago when she put four wins together including the Provincial Championship final, the Group Three Dark Jewel Stakes and Listed June Stakes.
The sprinter’s best recent performance was her third behind Prompt Response and Egyptian Symbol in the Group Two Breeders’ Classic in February.
She is slated to go to the broodmare barn in a few weeks and Saturday’s Winter Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill will be her likely swan song.
“This will probably be Danish Twist’s last run before she is retired to stud,” Lees said.
“She hasn’t won for two years, but we know she has the ability. We’re hoping she can go out on a winning note.”
Danish Twist is a $26 chance for Saturday’s feature with Dreamforce the well supported $4.20 favourite after being as much as $5.50 earlier this week.
Visiting New Zealand apprentice Sam Weatherley has the ride on Danish Twist.
Weatherley, who is in Sydney for a three-month trial with premier trainer Chris Waller, has a commanding lead in the NZ apprentices’ title.
He is following a path taken a few years ago by Jason Collett who rides Reach For Heaven, Bochy and Upscale for Lees on Saturday with the latter two to be fitted with blinkers.
Bochy won a Benchmark 65 Handicap (1500m) on June 17 at Muswellbrook before running third in a 1900m-race at Canterbury on July 4.
“I just felt putting blinkers on him might help as he is coming back 100 metres and he’s going to Saturday grade as well,” Lees said.
Bochy runs over 1800m while Upscale sticks to 1100m after her first-up sixth at Rosehill on June 30.
“Even though I knew she would take benefit from the run, I felt she was a bit plain all the same,” Lees said.
“She is fitter and hopefully the blinkers will switch her on.”
