There is a sense of relief having booked his jockey but Mike Van Gestel still has one concern with Casino Dancer going into the $150,000 Gosford Gold Cup on Friday.

While 26 starts during 2014 confirms that Casino Dancer is no shrinking violet when it comes to an extended racing campaign, Van Gestel is worried her bashful nature might count against her around a racetrack that can be difficult to navigate.

“I’m not sure the tight track will suit her. Sometimes she’s not the most vigorous horse in a race. She’s a little bit timid that way,” Van Gestel said.

Van Gestel is banking on Jason Collett to help Casino Dancer, a family-owned racehorse, break through at stakes level for the first time.

“My family told me to get the best jockey I could but it wasn’t easy,” he said.

“Some couldn’t make her weight and others will be on the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions but I’m happy to get Jason.”

Collett will be having his first ride on Casino Dancer and his renowned calmness in precarious situations will be an asset for the four-year-old.

Casino Dancer loomed to win the Summer Cup at Randwick on Boxing Day before finishing a close third to I’m Imposing.

The Tony McEvoy-trained Pelicano, which finished behind Casino Dancer when fourth in the Summer Cup, has been given 59kg topweight.

Last year’s winner Midsummer Sun is one of three horses allocated 57kg while Casino Dancer has the 54kg limit weight.

Mares from Chris Waller’s leading stable head the weights for Belle Of The Turf Stakes, a 1600-metre Group Three race for fillies and mares.

She’s Clean returns from a Melbourne campaign to run with 59kg, 0.5kg more than stablemate Gosh.

Imported from France as the winner of three races, Gosh is also entered for Saturday’s Randwick meeting.

Out-of-form sprinter Howmuchdoyouloveme has 59kg for the Listed Takeover Target Stakes with That’s A Good Idea next in the weights with 56.5kg.

Article from justhorseracing.com.au