Christopher Dance’s impressive WA Derby victory

Rising Star Christopher Dance (Sweet Lou) scored his most important win to date when he outclassed a crack harness racing field in the Group 1 $200,000 Sky Racing Western Australia Pacing Derby at Gloucester Park last night. 

The New Zealand bred colt only started racing at Gloucester Park last month and has now won three on end at Perth headquarters. Before then he had two races in New Zealand and was runner up in the Great Northern Derby at Alexandra Park before joining the stables of Greg and Skye Bond who had four other runners in the classic.

Winning driver Deni Roberts had the choice of the Bond’s other runners but she elected to drive Christopher Dance who was backed into a solid favourite and it proved to be the right choice. 

From the outside of the front row Christopher Dance was eased back to the rear of the field by Roberts. Second favourite Vegas Strip held the lead from the pole with stablemate Tualou caught racing outside the leader. Menemsha secured the perfect trail behind the leader. With a lap and half left to travel Alta Tribute moved up three wide and Roberts quickly worked behind him to get a cover up. 

Vegas Strip despite having to work hard early still looked to travelling within himself but Christopher Dance unleashed a brilliant sprint out wide and in a flash had the race in his keeping. At the finish Christopher Dance had over 10 metres to spare over Menemsha who finished on well with ThenU Came Along filling in third placing.

CHRISTOPHER DANCE REPLAY

Deni Roberts has had a meteoric rise as a driver and she currently sits second behind Shannon Suvaljko in the State drivers premiership and a close third in the metropolitan drivers standings.

Only last weekend Deni claimed the Australian Female drivers Championship at Launceston.

Earlier in the evening, Victorian raider Captain Ravishing (Captaintreacherous) stamped his credential for next week’s West Australian Pacing Cup with a stirring first up win in the Group 3 $50,000 Navy Cup Free For all against a crack field.

An easing second favourite, Captain Ravishing was sent up outside the leader hot favourite Lavra Joe before securing a one out and one back when Jaws of Lincoln went around the field.

Lavra Joe looked to be coasting on the final bend but Captain Ravishing issued a strong challenge and with driver Aiden De Campo urging him on the five year old stallion drew clear for an impressive win over To Fast to Serious with Steno a close third. Lavra Joe weakened to finish fourth.

CAPTAIN RAVISHING REPLAY

Over the 2130 metres Captain Ravishing returned a mile rate of 1.55.3 with a final quarter of 28.4.

Captain Ravishing was sent over a week ago by his trainer Freddy Taiba to tackle the WA Cup and his win was the perfect lead up to next week’s $400,000 Group 1 classic.

Driver Aiden De Campo commented after the race:

“I was looking for the one two and had to work forward. But when the cover came it was perfect. I clicked him up halfway down the back straight but when I pulled him out he went that fast. He’s a super horse. He’s a beautiful gentleman to drive and quite kind. I as quite happy with him.”

Captain Ravishing has been relatively lightly raced having had only 23 starts for 12 wins and five placings but his career has been plagued with a number of setbacks. Lightly raced this time in, Captain Ravishing now looks to be the main danger to favourite Mister Smartee in next week’s big feature event. But the barrier draw will play a major role in who starts favourite.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink