Virginia Danseur Handicap

This Saturday’s feature race at Flemington – headquarters of Victorian racing, The Virginia Danseur Handicap (unlisted Stakes) over 1200 metres (6 furlongs) down the straight 6, has punters confused as to where to lay their hard earned dollars. The Bookies are giving nothing away laying 9/2 the field, but there has been a persistant rumour doing the rounds that there will be a heavy betting plunge on one of the runners on race day. So let’s see if we can find the winner from this very even field of quality sprinters.

1. STORM PEGASUS – 9/1  (Fusaichi Pegasus x Storm Bird x Miswaki) tr – perks2 This well bred 5 yo horse usually ultra consistant in this class travelled to Japan last start and put in an absolute shocker to finish 10th of 14 runners in the Light Cat Special Stake. Quite heavily raced with 50 lifetime starts another failure here could see him off for a well earned spell before returning to the track later in the year. However, his usual style of stalking the early pace and then grinding home hard has served him well in the past and if he has recovered from his travels a forward showing would not surprise.
2.  JB MORNIN’ Y’ALL – 7/1 (Aljabr x Morning Bob x Exclusive Native) tr – jbenisz Moved up to Stakes class 3 starts back and has hit the board each time, winning his last outing in 2005 however has only managed minor placings in his two 2006 starts. Has been freshened up for this race after a 7 week break from racing, and this writer suspects JB could be the mystery plunge horse the Bookies are worrying about. We tried calling jbenisz for a comment, however the stable hand that answered his phone said he was out at a meeting with his bank manager trying to negotiate a short term loan.
3. LAST GROOM T – 9/2 fav. (Gone West x Blushing Groom x Creme Dela Creme) tr – eastecho99 Has been racing around two turns for nearly 12 months now, and since a very impressive 2nd in the Grade 1 Kingab Mile late in 2005 has shown a worrying drop in speed every start since, culminating in a very disappointing 11th last time out in the Grade 2 Arcade Hcp. Used to racing on or very near the lead his recent fade outs have been of concern according to his trainer eastecho99, he went on to state that they have altered his training since his last start and are expecting a return to form over the run down the Flemington straight. Seems the Bookies have had their spies out as well and are definitely keeping Last Groom T safe as pre-post favorite.
4. FANTASY TRIP – 12/1 (Fantastic Light x Peintre Celebre x Secreto) tr – peeps1 Moderately successful 3 yo with 4 wins from 11 starts jumping through the classes from MSW claim 1x allowance culminating in an open allowance win before losing form for a couple of races. Trainer peeps1 then took a chance by trying a stakes race for his last race as a 3 yo, being rewarded with a storming home 2nd place with year best 99sp. Back to allowance class for his 1st start in 2006 Fantasy Trip once again greeted the judge 1st, and last start was sent back against the big boys His Storms unlisted stake in Japan, again charging home for a fast finishing 3rd in a lifetime best Sp of 100. After travelling back to Australia was given a 6 week let up and word is he is kicking the barn down wanting to get back to racing this Saturday. A repeat of his last start will see him right in this race at nice odds.
5. MAGPIE IN THE SAND – 7/1 (Line In The Sand x Ocean Crest x Groom Dancer) tr – gcphantom3 Winner of fully 50% of his 24 lifetime starts this lightly raced multiple stakes winner was sent back to allowance class last start to regain his confidence after a lacklustre performance in the Japanese His Storm unlisted Stake. Obviously a very astute move by his trainer as Magpie “flew” home making up over 4 lengths from the top of the stretch to win going away by over a length in a very nice 101sp. This race down the “Straight 6” should suit this big chestnut horse, if he can settle towards the rear and use his fast finishing speed to run down the early leaders.
6. IMMIGRANT SONG – 13/1 (Mozart x Geri x Grey Dawn II) tr – kittykat First start for his new trainer kittykat After his previous trainer dkyoung2 for some unknown reason tried him unsuccessfully over 10 furlongs for his 1st 2006 start recording a lifetime low sp of 72 and then seemingly threw Immigrant into the auction kittykat seems to have recognised a possible bargain and snapped him up. After being out of racing 12 weeks he is back to his best distance though maybe a little optimistic jumping right into stakes class, and maybe better suited to be eased back with a few allowance races to find his racing feet again.
7. MR DEKEYSER – 22/1 (Spinning World x Soviet Star x Gone West) tr – bobmarley Outsider of this 12 horse field and one of the few horses that the Bookies don’t seem to be concerned about as the possible plunge horse. A handy allowance runner that is probably a little out of his depth at this class. After a few rums last night in the office with my secretary we got out the Ouji board in an attempt to make contact with bobmarley and after a few more rums we had some movement on the board – “is this bob marley – yes” “is the gunja good stuff where you are – yes” “have you been smoking it – yes” “is that why you entered Mr Dekeyser in this race – yeah man” at this point my secretary passed out and the glass stopped moving.
8. OFFSTAGE – 8/1 (Diesis x In The Wings x Robyn Dancer) tr – clmstable Very impressive in 2005 as a 3yo posting some great times over the shorter distances, seems to have held that form through to 2006 his only drawback is his inconsistancy. At his best would run away from this field but your guess is as good as mine on whether it is willbe an off or on day this weekend. A definite worry to bookies punters and the mystery plunge horse alike if he puts his best 4 feet forward.
9. BORDERLANDS – 5/1 (Carson City x Alydar x Nearctic) tr – mecke Extremely lightly raced 6yo (only 2 starts as a 4yo and 1 as a 5yo last week of 2005) trainer mecke obviously had a plan, because Borderlands remains unbeaten in his 4 starts this year doing just enough to greet the judge without extending himself. His last two starts being in Stakes class, and posting a best sp of 105 twice in those 4 starts. As they say “winning form is good form” and he is my tip to make it 5 out of 5 this year.
10. LADY’S MAN TOO – 11/1 (Manaloj x Debussy x Gold Stage) tr – letsroll Heavily raced over the past 12 months for very little result after showing very good form early to mid 2005, his form has seemed to only get worse in 2006, and he may be due for a break and on return a try back on the main track. A forward showing in this race would surprise this writer at this time. Although this horse obviously has ability he is racing like a tired horse at the moment.
11. DANZ SONG BIRD – 9/1 (Unbridled’s Song x Danzig x Storm Bird) tr – ongaurdrac Powerful looking light grey 4yo colt, that is the probable leader in this race, however in recent times seems to tire badly over the last 250 metres. If gets his own way in front may be hard to run down but will need patient riding and a little luck to hold off some of the fast closers in this race.
12. READY FOR TROUBLE – 9/1 (More Than Ready x Clever Trick x No Robbery) tr – cheryl30 Ultra reliable at this class and distance but has found it difficult to break through in his two starts in 2006. Races best just off the pace and may be suited trying back to two turns in the near future. The straight 6 furlongs will suit his stalking style and if races down the outside rail from his wide barrier may be the surprise packet of the field.

This should be a strongly contested race with many chances, it will be interesting to see if the rumoured betting plunge eventuates and I know a few bookmakers that are looking for an insurance policy. A lot of punters are adopting a wait and see attitude but for what it’s worth here are the Yellow Dog Racing tips

1. PP # 9 Borderlands

2. PP # 2 JB Mornin’ Y’all

3. PP #12 Ready For Trouble