Tancred Stakes There for The Taking

The markets for Saturday’s deep sequence of feature races at Rosehill reflect the reality that there are a lot of chances wherever one looks. That’s no more obvious than in the Gr1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) where different formlines converge from across states and across the Tasman Sea. Trainer Mark Newnham saddles up super-consistent import Spirit Ridge (Nathaniel) who showed great fight when edged out by Toffee Tongue (Tavistock) in the Gr3 Sky High Stakes (2000m) two weeks ago. In his favour is that he’ll improve second up and has two wins and two runners-up from 6 starts over the distance, while Toffee Tongue is yet to win, albeit she did finish runner-up, from her only two starts over 2400m. Against Spirit Ridge is that despite being beaten by Toffee Tongue who will be rock-hard fit at her fourth start this campaign, under the weight-for-age conditions, he is forced to give the high-class mare 3.5kg. Victorian raider Sir Dragonet (Camelot) is a lukewarm $5.00 favourite after showing a glimpse of his talent last start but is yet to place over the mile-and-a-half, with champion Melody Belle (Commands) also in the same boat albeit she is yet to be tried over 2400m. That leaves three other genuine prospects: former Australian Derby (2400m) winner Angel of Truth (Animal Kingdom) who is back in form for Team Hawkes, the often overlooked The Chosen One (Savabeel) whose 2400m form is patchy and Mirage Dancer (Frankel) who boasts four wins at the journey. He brings us back full circle to the Sky High Stakes where he finished less than a length behind Toffee Tongue and Spirit Ridge. Up just 1kg from his last placing, he is drawn for a soft run and has the services of Damien Oliver. With early support already apparent, he is a $9.50 chance with Unibet, and profiles as a strong each way chance.

Mirage Dancer (rail) looks a decent each way prospect (pic: Steve Hart)