Racing: Stolen Dance too good

This marks the eighth win of Stolen Dance's 12-start career. Photo / Supplied

Stolen Dance is making an outstanding case for her inclusion in the group one Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.

The four-year-old posted the eighth, and most impressive, win of her 12-start career when she put away a quality field of mares on her home track in the group two Cal Isuzu Stakes at Te Rapa yesterday.

"The Zabeel was never in the plan, more the Thorndon Mile with a nice weight, but is she going too good not to have a go?" trainer David Greene said.

The daughter of Alamosa has gone to new levels this preparation with the Cal Isuzu coming off the back of her group three Eagle Technology Stakes victory.

She led all the way to win at Ellerslie, but at Te Rapa she got back in the field before lengthening stride down the outside for a dominant victory.

"She's unbelievable " this is the highlight of my career," said Greene, who is also on the board of the Waikato Racing Club.

"She can sit forward or back, she finds a way to win and she keeps getting better every time."

Sam Spratt was reunited with Stolen Dance in the Cal Isuzu, having ridden her three times last season for two wins and a second, and said she had anticipated being closer to the early pace.

"When you're riding you have to have Plans X, Y and Z " I didn't expect to be back there, but I got a nice drag into the race and she finished off so well," she said. "The last 100 metres she had her ears pricked and was gawking around."

Stolen Dance accounted for Pipi Beel, who was doing her best work late, with Rasa Lila taking third ahead of Consensus.

Vavasour's class and professionalism couldn't be questioned after she added another top staying title to her record on Saturday.

Successful in last month's group three Counties Cup, she added the group three Skycity Hamilton Waikato Cup to her CV in straightforward fashion at Te Rapa, although she had her connections on edge in the lead-up.

Vavasour was found to be in season on race morning and she had been in a cantankerous mood when departing from her Byerley Park base.

"It was quite nerve-wracking really, but she's come out and done the job," said Peter Williams, who prepares the mare with his wife Dawn and Paul Richards.

They also celebrated stakes success in the previous event, the Listed J Swap Contractors Sprint, with Natuzzi.

Vavasour jumped well to keep the leader Saint Emilion within her sights and she put the issue beyond doubt when she strode to the front 200 metres from home.

"She's had her doubters, but we knew once she got over ground she would come to it," said Williams.

The Tidy Express finished well when clear in the straight for second and the topweight Decorah was a gallant third under 60kg.

- NZ Racing Desk