Gibbs treads the same path to Oaks
Chris Gibbs has adhered to former training partner Donna Logan’s Australian Oaks strategy by bringing Danzdanzdance from New Zealand for the Group One A$500,000 Vinery Stud Stakes.
Logan, who is now training in Singapore, used today’s 2000m feature for three-year-old fillies to prepare newcomers to Sydney racing for their main target.
Gibbs saw no reason to deviate from a programme that enabled Rising Romance to claim the Oaks in 2014. Logan also put Habibi and Valley Girl on the same pathway in 2013 and 2016.
Both placed in the Vinery before finishing sixth and fourth respectively in the Group One ATC Australian Oaks (2400m).
This year’s edition of the Oaks is on the second day of The Championships at Randwick on April 14.
Danzdanzdance arrived on Tuesday and has settled into her temporary base after doing the bulk of her work at home.
“She won’t need to do much, she’s fit and ready,” Gibbs said.
Danzdanzdance was third in the New Zealand Derby behind Vin De Dance and Mongolian conquer or and Gibbs had no concerns about her first Australian start being at Group One level.
Gibbs said Danzdanzdance was always earmarked as a New Zealand Derby candidate and once she performed in that race a trip to Sydney’s autumn carnival was locked in.
Melbourne-based New Zealand jockey Michael Walker has been booked to ride Danzdanzdance in the Vinery and Oaks.
Danzdanzdance drew barrier five in the field of 14, a comfortable scenario for Gibbs.
“She’s come from last and she’s won from in front. She’s a very tractable filly and she’s got a turn of foot,” he said.