Despite the formline the Amber Hoffman trained Break Dance was expected to play at best, a minor role behind two mares with better credentials in the feature harness racing mares race at Winton on Sunday.
But as we all know in racing the pre-race script often changes.
That was the case in the $20,000 Southern Belle Mares Speed Series Final when fourth win favourite Break Dance charged home late to beat the more fancied Kayteeoh Denario and Glenferrie Classic.
The early speed was set by Tact Rousey from Gate One before Kayteeoh Denario took over in front. The pace was breakneck and driver Jonny Cox was locked away in the midfield. At the 400 metres Cox had a lap full of horse and was dead last. He then latched onto the back of an improving RR Sand Dollar and progressed forward. Once the plugs were pulled Break Dance came with a wet sail down the outside to beat Kayteeoh Denario by three quarters of a length.
So from where she was at the 600, was Cox ever a worried man?
“I was a wee bit when we were three or four back in the middle. We were buried but we managed to get out and get going and got a good drag into it,” he said.
The win was the mare's fourth and caps off a very consistent formline.
“She’s been unlucky a few times getting too far back. They went so hard today and it suited her down to the ground and we had the momentum going forward when we needed it. She’s not a top line mare but she tries hard every week. I think she’s only missed getting a cheque once since Amber has had her and on that day it was because of the run.”
The Art Major mare was bred by Tuapeka Lodge and is out of eight win Live Or Die mare Wave Runner. Break Dance started her career with trainer Simon Adlam but it's been Hoffman that has found the key to her.
And in what I understand is typical – she didn't want to hang around for the presentation.
Winning connections – Photo Bruce Stewart.
“She doesn’t like staying still for very long but you don’t mind it when they put in a performance like that.”
The winning time of 1-53.3 was a new race record. The Southland and track record for 1609 metres of 1-51.9 is held by Delightful Memphis.
In the last race of the day Break Dance's younger half-sister Bonnie Joan raced by the Tuapeka Lodge Syndicate which share in the ownership of Break Dance, won in a smart time of 2-53.8 for the 2400 metres. The track record of 2-53.1 is held by Nek Time.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing
