Switch to Desirable Stakes ideal for Ole Dancer
Subpar performance in a midweek hit-out from a yard companion means Ole Dancer will contest the fillies' Stakes race at Flemington.
Sheza Alibi, under the care of Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, was set to launch her autumn slate in the Listed Desirable Stakes (1400m) this Saturday, as Ole Dancer targeted the older females in the Group 3 Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m).
Sheza Alibi underwhelmed during Tuesday's breeze-up, prompting the stable to reverse their assignments.
According to Moody, the Desirable Stakes offers a milder contest for Ole Dancer against peers of similar vintage.
"She's not wound up or screwed down as we're mindful of not wanting her to have a gut-buster 14 days before the Surround, which is a Group 1, and ultimately, we want to be going around two or three runs after that," Moody said.
"Class will take her a long way, unless one of the other fillies really jumps out of the ground, so I would suggest it would be hard to see her getting beat."
Since her rest after claiming the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) last spring, the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on February 28 has been the target for Ole Dancer.
With three successes in five attempts, Moody pins her setbacks on unlucky gates.
A touch more fortune might have kept her perfect, emulating her celebrated kin Black Caviar, after whom the weekend's top event, Black Caviar Lightning, is titled.
The lineage connects via Ole Dancer's father Ole Kirk, from a sister to Black Caviar.
"The times she got beat she had bad barriers, so we rode her stone cold and she ran home super," Moody said of Ole Dancer.
"We've probably got to ride her cold on Saturday, seven of seven, and the filly of Danny O'Brien's (Sass Appeal) probably leads and controls the tempo and is probably the one we have to beat.
"It's not going to be an easy task, but it will be a nice gallop for her, the track looks enormous and the rain we had on Wednesday is the best thing that has happened to every track in Victoria.
"All being well, this will lead us to the Surround in a couple of weeks."
Explore the online bookmakers via Australian betting sites ahead of the Desirable Stakes.
The post Race switch to suit Ole Dancer first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
More Racing News
Oakbank's Railway Stakes could see Lingani at her best
Lingani, after three starts since returning from rest, is on the cusp of peaking at Oakbank.Familiarity with the demanding Oakbank layout is essential.Lingani may not have raced at the Adelaide Hills course before, but trainers Peter and Belinda Blanch, who are married, are assured the mare will cope when she...
Reece Goodwin welcomes Coastwatch to his stable
Reece Goodwin, now in his fifth training season, persists in browsing internet sales for inexpensive acquisitions.Among his newest additions stands stakes victor Coastwatch, set to contest the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday for his debut with Goodwin.The gelding launched his career with Chris Waller, then shifted...
Sixties set for strong showing with Rachel King in Randwick feature
Chris Waller's Sixties is seen by punters as the trainer's secondary option for the Doncaster Mile, though Waller can present compelling reasons for the three-year-old to shine in Randwick's marquee event.Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman's Sheza Alibi tops the markets at $2, with Waller's Autumn Boy next at $7, and...
Dezignation eyed as upset pick by schiller in Australian derby
Briasa, the title defender in the T J Smith Stakes, stands as Tyler Schiller's most prominent Group One assignment on day one of The Championships at Randwick, yet he feels his other mounts are somewhat ignored.This capable jockey will also ride Steparty ($19) trained by Paul Preusker in the Doncaster...
Berry confident Storm Leopard blends speed and stamina for Derby
There's debate on whether class alone suffices for a three-year-old in a Derby without full stamina, or if staying power reigns supreme in classics.Jockey Tommy Berry sees a balance, believing his ATC Australian Derby (2400m) partner Storm Leopard offers precisely that mix."They need to stay, but you talk about any...
Experienced filly Torsheen primed for Caulfield success
The combination of racing background and growing maturity has crafted Torsheen into a formidable contender.Trained by Shane Nichols alongside Hayden Black, the filly seeks to enhance her tally in the Jack Elliott Handicap (1200m) over Caulfield's track this Saturday.Torsheen has shone brightly this campaign, setting a new track record during...
Tyler Schiller and Briasa duo eyeing another Randwick triumph
Within contemporary thoroughbred racing, standout sprinter Briasa paired with jockey Tyler Schiller stands out as unusual.Timing issues from cross-border festivals, disciplinary actions, and racing's tricky elements often force jockey rotations, but come Saturday at Randwick, Schiller hops aboard the grey flyer for his 13th ride in 16 races - the...
Hayes brothers target Easter Cup breakthrough with strong duo
Lindsay Park's record in the Caulfield Easter Cup trails behind their achievements in the day's Victoria Handicap feature.With Here To Shock and Cafe Millenium, Ben, Will and JD Hayes pursue a hat-trick of wins in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) on Saturday, but they're after an inaugural victory in...
Vivy Air owners back Jones for Doncaster Mile challenge
Owners of Vivy Air have seen Reece Jones deliver success already through the Five Diamonds conquest, but the jockey is especially motivated to honour their steadfast faith with a Doncaster Mile conquest.When the mare under Ciaron Maher's guidance kicked off her campaign with a bold third to Lazzura in the...
Nepo Baby poised for P J Bell Stakes entry as emergency
Rob and Annabel Archibald have nominated four fillies for the P J Bell Stakes, but after scratching one over a tough gate, their prime contender sits beyond the current entries.As of this report, $8 shot Nepo Baby held second reserve status for the Saturday Group 3 sprint, awaiting a single...