By Mike Dillon
Dannevegas, the new $350,000 Auckland Cup favourite, is a cranky tart who cops no nonsense.
Hang on, where have we heard that before?
Actually a year ago to the day when trainer Brian Jenkins was describing his outstanding mare, Jezabeel, at that point 48 hours away from winning the Auckland Cup.
A tetchy personality is not the only similarity between Dannevegas and Jezabeel. They might be different colours, Dannevegas is a light chestnut, but they share a huge factor of athleticism.
If horses could wolf whistle they would when Dannevegas walks. The fluidity is striking. Just like Jezabeel.
That ability to put it together physically saw her storm over the top of the opposition in the $100,000 Waikato Gold Cup and is the reason she has elevated herself to clear favouritism for New Zealand's premier staying event.
Describing Jezabeel as outstanding is only a retrospective statement in the wake of her Auckland Cup/Melbourne Cup double.
This day last year she was just another pretty good stayer trying to win New Zealand's richest race.
Dannevegas is in exactly the same spot and could be about to embark on a similar elevation to stardom.
Her record in races beyond 1600m is startling - she has had three runs and won them all. She made a winning distance debut in a 2100m PQ event at Te Rapa in May, won over 2000m at Otaki on November 26 and her only other distance attempt was the Waikato Cup.
Three middle distance races is hardly text book preparation for one of New Zealand's toughest races, but Dannevegas does not take a great deal of anything, whether it is training, racing, or nonsense from humans.
In fact, co-trainer Jeff Lynds would have preferred not to have raced her again after the Waikato Cup.
"We were committed to running in the Kings Plate on Boxing Day because she hadn't run right handed before and you can't send them into an Auckland Cup on that basis," Lynds said.
"She doesn't take a lot of racing, though, and we had to take a risk the race didn't send her over the top."
It has not, and although it was over only 1600m it was as good a trial as you could have hoped for.
In a 1600m run at lightning pace Dannevegas got well back, as you would expect, and ran on strongly in the closing stages.
While you can admire the athletic walk, do not look too closely at Dannevegas at Ellerslie tomorrow - you might change your mind.
She tucks up, or looks light in the loins behind the saddle, hardly a classic 3200m type, but Lynds simply laughs.
"She's always been like that. In fact, lately she's actually putting on weight, despite a 3200m preparation.
"She's really thriving."
Lynds says he will leave riding tactics to Opie Bosson.
"Opie's been on her enough to know where to ideally place her, but I would like to see her somewhere in mid-field."
From where the mare Lynds describes as a typically tough female will be perfectly poised to unleash her withering finishing burst.
Collett to ride
Jim Collett will complete the Auckland Cup carnival riding under a stay of proceedings.
Collett was charged with reckless riding after his mount Joe Hero was relegated from first to fourth at Tauranga on Tuesday.
Because of the seriousness of the charge the judicial panel agreed to Collett's request for an adjournment to allow him time to seek legal advice.
That allows Collett to ride The Message in tomorrow's $350,000 Blue Star Auckland Cup and the favourite Trans Siberia in the $250,000 McDonogh Railway Handicap.
On Saturday he rides Lady Tee in the $50,000 Royal Stakes and La Rousset in the $150,000 Racehorse Owners Trophy.
Collett has been doing it tough this week to ride La Rousset as close as possible to her book weight of 51.5kg.
"At this point I'm aiming to be able to ride her at 51.75kg," he said.
"Having ridden on each of the last four days has helped my weight.
"I'm having one meal a day, drinking plenty of water and I've been working hard on the farm.
"I'll do it light after the races on Friday and have a sauna on Saturday
morning - that should do it.
"I've just got to be careful I don't weaken myself too much - it can be tough when there's not much of you."
The stipendiary steward at Tauranga on Tuesday, George Law son, said Collett's charge is likely to be heard around January 8 or 9.
While the maximum penalty for reckless riding is 12 months suspension or disqualification and a $5000 fine, three high profile cases in the last couple of years have resulted in much less.
Lance O'Sullivan copped four weeks suspension when winning the Easter Handicap on Moss Downs, Matthew Williamson got the same for the Foromor case at Ellerslie and Collett got six weeks for an incident at Te Rapa.
Horse Racing: Dannevegas following familiar path
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