Peter Moody says immature filly Ole Dancer ‘has the quality' for spring after return win at Caulfield

The Australian

2 days ago

Less could be more if strong Caulfield winner Ole Dancer makes it to the Group 1 Thousand Guineas in October.
The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained filly remained unbeaten in the 2YO Handicap (1200m), the former said the two-year-old had plenty of improving to do.
Premiership-leading jockey Blake Shinn had to push Ole Dancer off the leaders' heels into clear running in the straight but the $3.90 favourite comfortably held off the honest Thanks Gorgeous ($6.50) to win by a length.
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'She got a little bit lost when she went to the front but she's a quality filly that is still quite immature but I think she's got nice upside to come,' Moody said.
'I think she's got the quality to be running in spring races but whether she has the maturity will probably be the question mark.'
Ole Dancer easily won the SA Magic Millions Classic on debut at Murray Bridge in March before making it two wins from as many starts at Caulfield.
However, Moody said the Ole Kirk filly had not shown 'as much (development) as I would have liked' in the months between her first and second starts.
The rising three-year-old's immaturity means Moody and Coleman were likely to give Ole Dancer one run between Saturday and the Thousand Guineas (1600m) on October 18.
'If she got to a race like a Thousand Guineas, she'd probably get there on one run, she's that type of filly,' Moody said.
'She won't need a lot of racing due to a lack of maturity so we'll just monitor that as we go along.
'Maybe there will be something in the back end of August.
'Well give her another month and a pretty easy time of it and find another 12 (00) or 1300(m) or something like that.'
Ole Dancer gave Moody and Coleman their 29th city win of the season, leaving the Pakenham-based duo sixth in the Melbourne trainers' premiership.
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STYLISH BIRTHDAY PRESENT
Stylish Secret gave trainer Mick Nolan an early 70th birthday present with victory at Caulfield.
Stylish Secret overhauled Verona Rupes with every bit of fitness acquired from seven preceding starts for the campaign to get the result – Nolan's first Caulfield winner.
'My first runners I had at Moonee Valley, Flemington and Sandown all won,' Nolan said.
'I've been a bit cranky, I've had to wait four (starters) for this, but I've got them all now.'
Nolan, who turns 70 on Sunday, will celebrate the birthday with Stylish Secret owners and '10 stubbies too many'.
'It's going to be great, all the owners are going to be there,' Nolan said.
'You only get to 70 once in your life.'
Stylish Secret covered 13,500 race metres the past seven starts, building to the 2400m 3YO Open Handicap win.
'I sent an audio this morning (owners' update), I added it up (distance raced) … said it's done 15,000 metres, Bart (Cummings)only had to do 10,000 (metres),' Nolan said.
Cups King Bart Cummings had a theory stayers required 10,000 metres under the belt to prepare for the Melbourne Cup.
FAMILY MATTERS
Jockey Matt Cartwright sealed a special win aboard Pop Award for his grandmother and mother, trainers Lyn Tolson and Leonie Proctor, at Caulfield on Saturday.
Cartwright went stride for stride in the straight Blake Shinn-ridden favourite Verdoux and got the result late in the 1100m Benchmark 78.
Shinn had ridden Pop Award to victory last campaign but could not quite get the 55kg required on Saturday.
'I know I'm family but I'm still thankful I got the ride on her because of the 55kg,' Cartwright said.
'There was a bit of pressure around, obviously I'm not Blake Shinn.
'I'm glad I could give her (Pop Award) a good ride and she won well.'
Cartwright felt comfortable throughout on Pop Award despite the mare being first-up.
Cartwright is set to ride in New Zealand next season.
DICTIONARY ROLLS ODDS-ON 'CHAMPION'
Trainer John Moloney was almost apologetic after his charge Dictionary outslugged Jimmy The Bear in the VOBIS Gold Stayers(2400m).
Blinkers made all the difference to Dictionary ($14) while jockey Daniel Stackhouse's ground-saving ride contributed to the gelding's upset win over the $1.45 favourite.
'To knock off the legend Jimmy The Bear, well that's a bit special,' Moloney said.
'You never want to knock down a champion and he's been the champion of this winter so we were lucky to beat him.'
'Jimmy has nearly done everything (to win) but it's a treat to be able to pull the race off.'
Dictionary ran third in last year's edition of the $175,000 race before prevailing in Saturday's five-horse field.
BLUEBLOOD ON HIS BEST BEHAVIOUR
To switch up the saying, $1.6m is one person's trash while another's $65,000 is treasure.
Coolmore Australia boss Tom Magnier paid $1.6m for Behaviour at a yearling sale in 2023 before syndicator Flying Start snapped up the son of I Am Invincible for just $65,000 at an online sale in January.
Chris Waller was unsuccessful in four cracks with Behaviour but the gelding posted his second win in six starts for Cranbourne trainer Gavin Bedggood in the 3YO Handicap (1200m).
Jockey Jamie Melham continued her winning return from holidays when she brought Behaviour home over the top of Craig Williams's mount Bossy Benita.
'It was a perfectly executed ride and I'm just grateful he was sent my way,' Bedggood said.
– additional reporting by Gilbert Gardiner