VINERY STUD STAKES 2018: KIWI RAIDER ARRIVES TO CHASE SYDNEY G1

By Isaac Ling Yesterday at 6:32pm

New Zealand trainer Chris Gibbs is confident Danzdanzdance is talented enough to make herself known in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) on Saturday, but first she has to overcome her maiden journey across the Tasman.

The three-year-old opened at $8.50 for the Rosehill Group One following a third-place finish behind Vin De Dance in the New Zealand Derby (2400m) on March 10.

Vin De Dance gave strength to the Kiwi form on Saturday when he was second across the line in the Rosehill Guineas before being relegated to fourth on protest.

That performance reinforced Gibbs’ view that Danzdanzdance can be a factor in Sydney but he said her small size and the demands of travel present a challenge.

“I know she’s up to the class. Especially after watching the Rosehill Guineas,” Gibbs told Punters.com.au.

“Our biggest difficulty with her is she doesn’t carry a lot of weight. She’s quite a tall filly but small in size weight-wise.”

Danzdanzdance touched down in Sydney on Tuesday afternoon and Gibbs said the trip from New Zealand was “a big thing” for the daughter of Mastercraftsman.

“She arrived yesterday about 1 o’clock or so. She had a bit of a walk and a pick. It’s all a new thing, it’s her first big trip anywhere really. So it’s a big thing for her. She’s always been, to be fair, mentally and physically immature,” he said.

“I knew she’d tighten up on the trip [to Australia], it was a hell of a big trip coming over. And she did from what I can gather from my people over there.

“But the nice thing is she ate everything last night and I know she’s a real tough filly.

“If she can just bounce out of it and get somewhere close back to the weight she was before we chucked her on the truck by Saturday I’d be super happy with that.”

Danzdanzdance beat Vin De Dance home when second in the Avondale Guineas (2100m) in her New Zealand Derby lead-up run and Gibbs said she has always shown tremendous potential.

“I’ve always had a huge opinion of her,” he said.

“You can’t get too carried away but certain ones you just get a little bit excited about and she was one of those.

“She’s going to probably hit her straps at four years old but [she's got] tons of natural ability.”

Gibbs said he was happy when Danzdanzdance drew barrier five of 14 and is hoping she can settle forward of mid-field for jockey Michael Walker.

“I’ll leave it up to Michael to work it out but I’d think she’ll be in the first half dozen,” he said.

Provided all goes to plan on Saturday Gibbs said Danzdanzdance will press on to the $1 million Australian Oaks (2400m) on April 14.