Sydney, October 4 – The Group Three AJC Craven Plate at Randwick on Saturday was won in style by rapid improver Lorne Dancer, a $70,000 purchase from the Yarraman Park draft at the 2006 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Ridden forward from barrier two by Blake Shinn, Lorne Dancer burst well clear after the home turn and then defied a late challenge from dual Group One winner Riva San to win by a short neck with four lengths back to third place-getter Ice Chariot.
“He really is a lovely honest horse and he’s improved so much,” a thrilled Waterhouse said.
“We were expecting he’d handle the slow going, on debut he was second on a heavy track and did it full of running.
“It’s not definite where he’ll be headed next”
“We tried the one-eyed blinkers and threatened to sell him, that worked a treat in turning his form around.”
A son of leading sire Danehill Dancer (IRE), Lorne Dancer has won four of his last five starts and has excelled when stepped up to the 2000 metres, his overall record now reading six wins and four placings from 12 starts with prizemoney of $269,620.
Bred and offered for sale by Yarraman Park, Lorne Dancer is raced by a syndicate of seven owners and is from stakes-placed Seattle Dancer (USA) mare Fabled, who produced a Foreplay colt last spring and is due to foal to Magic Albert.
