In a thrilling renewal of the Thousand Guineas on Caulfield Cup Day, local hope Ole Dancer produced a career-defining performance to defeat Sydney star Apocalyptic in one of the most exciting two-horse duels of the season.
Trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, the daughter of Ole Kirk secured her first Group 1 victory in only her fifth start, giving the stable a major highlight in what has been a rebuilding year. The win also ended the Sydney filly’s unbeaten run, handing Victoria a proud win in their interstate rivalry.
“We knew we were in for a very light spring because we’d lost most of our big guns and this filly, we weren’t disappointed in her last two runs — barriers had just brought around her demise,” Moody said.
“We had great respect for the Sydney filly. She just rose to the occasion and out-toughed her. The other one might have had one too many, and maybe we had one not enough too, because I thought it was going to out-tough us halfway down the straight.”
Apocalyptic ($1.90) controlled the race early while Ole Dancer ($5.50) sat alongside her before the pair turned it into a gripping match race in the home straight. Despite the favourite’s late surge, Ole Dancer found extra under Blake Shinn to prevail by a short neck. Edward Manifold Stakes winner Getta Good Feeling ($8) finished third, enhancing her credentials for the VRC Oaks.
“It was an exciting race, a thrilling race for me to even ride in,” Shinn said. “Peter and Kat always have their horses fit, and when the pressure came on, she responded like a good filly. It was a great effort.”
The victory marked the first Thousand Guineas win for both Shinn and the Moody-Coleman partnership, capping off a memorable afternoon for the stable at their home track.
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