Cox Plate hopeful Danceteria to step out in Caulfield Stakes
French gelding Danceteria will push his Cox Plate credentials when he takes on favourite Avilius in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes this Saturday.
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Cox Plate contender Danceteria is among a group of prized spring raiders set to step out at Caulfield on Saturday.
Australian-owned international Danceteria will look to follow 2018 Cox Plate runner-up Benbatl’s lead by winning the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) first up.
French trainer David Menuisier flew into Melbourne on Monday, while globetrotting Irish jockey Jamie Spencer is due in the coming days.
Spencer gushed about Danceteria’s prospects after a slashing fourth behind Enable last July.
He partnered the five-year-old son of Australian super sire Redoute’s Choice to win a Group 1 in Germany.
Benbatl won the Dallmayr Preis before coming to Australia last year, while Caulfield Cup winner Best Solution ran second in the race in 2017.
Australian Bloodstock co-director Jamie Lovett welcomed Spencer’s willingness to keep the ride.
“He doesn’t want to get off the horse so that’s a good sign,” Lovett said.
Danceteria has taken to Werribee nicely since going into quarantine a fortnight ago.
“All reports are good. He’s settled in and is losing weight, doing all the things you want them to do,” Lovett said.
“Caulfield is a bit sticky going first time out, but whatever he does the Cox Plate is his target. Hopefully he runs well and we go into the Cox Plate with a full head of steam.”
Danceteria is rated a $6 chance with the TAB in the Caulfield Stakes and $11 in the Cox Plate.
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Spencer will also ride Australian Bloodstock’s Cups hopeful Raheen House and Cantala-bound Chief Ironside on Saturday. He has not been back to Australia since the 2017 carnival.
Raheen House, currently 44th in the Melbourne Cup order of entry, must win the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) to get within striking distance of the final 24-horse field.
Japanese raider Suzuka Devious will make his Australian debut in the Caulfield Stakes along with Godolphin pair Dream Castle and Royal Meeting.
The Charlie Fellowes-trained Prince Of Arran, currently 39th in the Melbourne Cup ballot, will resume in the Herbert Power.
Meanwhile, top New Zealand mare Melody Belle will bypass the Cox Plate and instead be set for the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Derby Day.
Melody Belle claimed her ninth Group 1 win in Saturday’s Livamol Classic at Hastings over the same 2040m as the Cox Plate to complete New Zealand’s weight-for-age triple crown.
Melody Belle had two previous campaigns in Australia, winning the Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in Brisbane as a juvenile.
— with AAP