Cox Plate the prize target for UK raider
INTERNATIONAL visitor Danceteria’s year in Europe has been tailored with the $5 million Cox Plate in mind and, despite missing a lead-up race, the horse’s connections are confident he is ready for his major target.
Danceteria is trained by French-born, English-based David Menuisier and races in the colours of syndicator Australian Bloodstock.
The gelding is one of three international invitees running in Saturday’s weight-for-age feature at The Valley along with Japanese pair Lys Gracieux and Kluger.
Danceteria earned his invitation from the Moonee Valley Racing Club after a Group One win in Munich in late July.
“When Australian Bloodstock bought into him in April/ May we discussed the whole year with the Cox Plate in mind,” Menuisier said.
“We mapped out the whole of the season to try to peak for the Cox Plate.
“Obviously it involves the travelling which is always an unknown when you travel that far, but we’re very pleased with him.
“It is a funny, quirky track so I think until you try you don’t really know how you’re going to handle it.
“But I think that applies to all the horses who haven’t been on that track. I think the horse is well-balanced and the track is nice and flat which is important for him. So I think he should handle it.”
Danceteria was scheduled to make his Australian debut in the Group One Caulfield Stakes (2000m) last Saturday week as a lead-in to the Cox Plate but was scratched on race eve.
“He had a little bit of mucus, so we thought we might as well bypass rather than take the chance to run in the Caulfield Stakes, just in case it did affect him,” the trainer said.
“The horse is fine. He had his final piece of work on Tuesday morning and I’m delighted with him.”
Australian Bloodstock’s Jamie Lovett believes Danceteria has the right credentials for the Cox Plate.
“We’ve long held the view he’s the right horse for the Cox Plate,” he said. “It’s going to be a hot race so you take nothing for granted but they will know he’s there on Saturday.”