26 Dec: Another sparkling performance from Danzdanzdance
Published: 27 Dec 2018 - - Author: NZ Racing Desk

The Chris Gibbs and Michelle Bradley-trained Danzdanzdance made it consecutive Group One successes when winning the Gr.1 Cambridge Stud Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day in sensational fashion.

Photo:  Trish Dunell

The daughter of Mastercraftsman made light-work of her rivals last start in the Gr.1 Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) at Trentham and delivered a similarly dominant performance on Wednesday, holding a three-and-a-half-length margin on the line over Group One winner Lizzie L'Amour, with Jon Snow a further eight-and-a-half-lengths away in third.

Calmly handled by Opie Bosson, Danzdanzdance settled at the rear of the field before looping her rivals around the home bend. The champion hoop ensured the mare was balanced before unleashing the afterburners mid-track on the Heavy10 surface and she put her rivals away with ease.

“Opie rode her beautifully,” Gibbs said. “It all panned out the way we thought it might, but I must admit I was a little bit worried when he made his run and they all started to fan and he ended up so wide, but she was just too good.”

Gibbs indicated the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa on February 9 would be the mare’s next likely assignment before an international campaign is considered.

“We will just see after that, but the Doncaster (Gr.1, 1600m) has got to be a big chance and then after that we don’t know, but we’re going to enjoy it,” he said.

Winning jockey Opie Bosson recorded his 60th Group One win when successful on the mare.

“I got on the back of Lizzie L'Amour and she took me right into the race,” Bosson said. “I just stalked her for as long as I could up the straight and when I really asked my horse, she just sprinted away from her.

"I didn’t want to get caught napping. I did a little bit on Rising Romance a few years ago and I didn’t want it to happen again.

“I still actually don’t know how good she really is. She is pretty untapped and the way she is winning, she is doing it with ease, so the world’s her oyster,” he said.

Danzdanzdance is raced by a group of owners headed by international supermodel-turned-breeder and syndicator Kylie Bax.

Bax purchased the mare, who was bred by her parents Graeme and Helen-Gaye, for just $5,000 as a yearling.

“It’s so great to hear the crowd calling her name,” Bax said. “It’s an amazing feeling.”

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