While Peter Moody avoided forecasting a win for Ole Dancer over Tempted in the upcoming Surround Stakes on Saturday, one aspect particularly bolsters the celebrated trainer’s hopes for his filly.
The daughter of Ole Kirk pursues a follow-up Group 1 victory in the Randwick 1400m contest, after taking the 1600m Thousand Guineas last spring.
Tempted came unstuck as favourite in her lone run over 1200m, the previous year’s Golden Rose (1400m), and Moody believes a kind barrier will aid Ole Dancer following her resuming second over 1400m in the Desirable Stakes.
“The good thing about my girl is she’s going to be strong at the end of 1400, isn’t she?,” Moody said.
“I just hope we draw a barrier, that’s the main thing.
“The other day we had to go back from seven, you don’t want to have to go back from 10 or 12 and give it (Tempted) a start. I’d rather be three in front of it on the turn than three behind it.”
Ole Dancer remains unexposed to Sydney’s track direction but impressed her trainer Peter Moody, alongside Katherine Coleman, in a clockwise workout at Pakenham on Saturday.
Zac Lloyd picks up the Surround Stakes ride, substituting for the out Luke Nolen.
In the Desirable Stakes under Nolen, Ole Dancer surged late from last, missing by 2-1/2 lengths to Sass Appeal at 59.5kg—a result Moody sees as perfect preparation.
“Had she had a run under her belt we would have rolled forward and sat outside her (Sass Appeal) and we would have beat it like we did with Apocalyptic (in the Guineas),” Moody said.
“But because she hadn’t had the run, you’ve got to be mindful of where you’re going and she ran enormous.”
Ole Dancer lurks at $8 third in Surround Stakes all-in betting, with Tempted ($1.50) and Apocalyptic ($4.50) ahead.
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