KEY POINTS:
Gai Waterhouse says Dance Hero's victory in the Salinger Stakes at Flemington is one of the most rewarding moments of her illustrious career.
The former champion juvenile took all before him as a youngster, winning the 2004 Magic Millions at the Gold Coast and the 2-year-old triple crown of the Golden Slipper, Sires' Produce and Champagne Stakes in Sydney.
He had not won at the top level since but made a triumphant return to the Group One winner's circle as a 5-year-old yesterday with a brilliant display of sustained speed.
Waterhouse has a soft spot for the gelding who she bought for just A$90,000 (NZ$104,640) as a yearling and who boosted his prizemoney tally to just under A$4 million with the win.
"He was Australasia's champion 2-year-old. To win today and get back to Group One level is the most satisfying training feat."
The Melbourne carnival hasn't always been the happiest of hunting grounds for Waterhouse but she held centre stage.
Dance Hero's win gave her and jockey Chris Munce a Group One double after grand campaigner Desert War broke the hearts of his rivals to lead all the way in the Mackinnon Stakes (2000m).
Waterhouse also picked up the Group Two Wakeful Stakes (2000m) with Tuesday Joy, who immediately deposed Miss Finland as favourite for Thursday's VRC Oaks (2500m).
Dance Hero's win was also a special moment for Munce.
He has endured a tough year and will face charges in Hong Kong over an alleged tips-for-bets bribery scam. Munce paid tribute to Dance Hero.
"He deserved to win a race like that. He's a superstar in my mind and while he might not be in everyone else's I love him," Munce said.
Waterhouse has a particular liking for the Mackinnon, a race she has now won three times, having scored with All Our Mob (1996) and Grand Armee (2004).
The Desert King 6-year-old was having his first start since narrowly failing to make it three Epsom Handicaps in succession at Randwick on October 7.
Desert War ($7) scored by 2 1/4 lengths from Growl ($14).
The Waterhouse-trained Aqua D'Amore ($9) was a long neck away third and Cox Plate runner-up El Segundo was a further 4 1/4 lengths away fourth.
- AAP
