CAPTAIN COOK STAKES

(Group 1)

RUAKAKA trainers Chris Gibbs and Michelle Bradley’s confidence in their I Am Invincible mare, Danzdanzdance was rewarded with a Group 1 win in the Captain Cook Stakes at Trentham in New Zealand last Saturday.

Last season’s New Zealand Derby third placegetter was parked three-wide in the run before coasting up to the leading bunch rounding the final turn.

Slipped some rein on straightening by Opie Bosson, gifted the seat via injury to regular jockey Danielle Johnson, Danzdanzdance built momentum before taking over in the final furlong, extending her lead to an authoritative four lengths on the line.

In a bunch finish between four, the Howbaddouwantit gelding Authentic Paddy got the nod for second ahead of the Lookin At Lucky mare Our Abbadean.

“I don’t have a lot of hair, but what’s there is standing on end,” said Chris Gibbs of his grey mare. “That was amazing. The owners and I are all so excited. Our hearts are beating really fast. She was outstanding.

“You’re always wondering if you’ve got them right and she was a bit above herself today, which scared me a little bit, but Opie rode her beautifully. There was a ton of pace that just set it up beautifully for her.”

Purchased for just NZ$5,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock Select yearling sale by Kylie Bax for the syndicate she manages, Danzdanzdance has now landed three wins from 10 starts, as well as two Group 1 placings.

“She is a very smart mare,” said Bosson on dismounting. “I was a little bit sceptical coming into it fresh-up over a mile with a bit of cut in the ground. Turning for home I was just hoping I wasn’t going to get there too soon, but she is a very classy mare. I didn’t realise the turn of foot she had.”

The win also marked a maiden Group 1 win for co-trainers Gibbs and Michelle Bradley. “We’ll go to the Zabeel Classic now (December 26th), that was our next target,” added Gibbs. “Then we might have to think about freshening her up for something in Sydney in the autumn.”