Gibbs hoping track plays right way
A FIRM track for Te Rapa biggest’s meeting of the season could prove both an advantage and disadvantage for Danzdanzdance, but cotrainer Chris Gibbs is hoping it works out more on the plus side in the $400,000 Herbie Dyke Stakes today.
Danzdanzdance goes into New Zealand’s richest weightforage race a $1.85 favourite after two breathtaking summer wins, the latest of them,the Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, run under almost identical race conditions.
But there will be three significant changes for Danzdanzdance today.
The first is Michael Rodd replacing the suspended Opie Bosson in the saddle, which for all Bosson’s brilliance is not playing on Gibbs’ mind at all. After all, Rodd is a Melbourne Cup winner with an abundance of class and experience.
But the two other big differences from Ellerslie to Te Rapa could both impact the glamour grey.
The track was rated a dead4 yesterday afternoon but could firm up before the Herbie Dyke is run at 3.55pm.
‘‘I think she is at her best on a 56 range track, definitely more so than a good3 like we might get . . . ,’’ Gibbs said.
But that could be balanced out by the fact 2000m on a firm track should provide less of a fitness test than the heavy10 of the Zabeel at Ellerslie.
‘‘Back then we weren’t worried about her fitness because she had had the Captain Cook run at
Trentham three weeks earlier. But obviously she probably has a few more fitness questions over her this weekend because it has been over six weeks since she raced. ‘‘We couldn’t be happier with her and because she is a very cleanwinded mare she is ready to go and the firm track should mean the race isn’t a 2000m slog, which probably suits her more fresh.
‘‘So there is a lot to weigh up and for all those reasons and the class of the field, we are definitely not taking anything for granted.’’
Safely through the feature Danzdanzdance will go to Sydney for the Ranvet Stakes (March 23) and a likely clash with Winx in the Queen Elizabeth on April 13.
Highclass 3yrold Madison County will be ridden by Matt Cameron.
Last year’s winner, Lizzie L’Amour, has been scratched after pulling up slightly sore in work earlier this week.
❛ I think she is at her best on a 56 range track, definitely more so than a good3 like we might get
Cotrainer Chris Gibbs talking about Danzdanzdance