By MICHAEL GUERIN
Pukekohe filly Dancingonmoonlight is being asked to succeed where even champion fillies have failed.
Trainer Steven Reid will fly his stable star to Sydney tonight for a hit-and-run New South Wales Derby mission.
That means taking on New Zealand's best 3-year-olds - Stars And Stripes, Mike's Pal and Hunka Hickling - as well as a better than usual Australian crop.
It is a daunting task for Dancingonmoonlight in a race that has not been kind to fillies.
Two years ago Tailamade Lombo and Under Cover Lover, both of whom have become millionaire mares, contested the NSW Derby but had to bow to Holmes D G.
But Reid says that, while a filly taking on the colts is always hard, there are reasons Dancingonmoonlight is up to the challenge.
"I don't think this 3-year-old crop contains a champion like we have had in recent years," said Reid in reference to the exceptional talent Courage Under Fire, Holmes D G and Christian Cullen displayed as 3-year-olds.
"This season the crop is more even without a real stand-out so it may not be a bad time to take the colts on.
"And she has returned from her Addington campaign in fantastic shape, like she hasn't even had a race."
Dancingonmoonlight has played second fiddle to champion filly Tupelo Rose this season but did score her first win over that arch-rival at the scene of Friday's Derby when she won the New South Wales Oaks at Harold Park in March.
"Because it will be such a good field David Butcher can drive her for luck and if she can get some of the money it can only be good for her broodmare career."
Safely through Friday night, Dancingonmoonlight still has over $200,000 worth of races to chase this season, including the Queensland and Australian Oaks as well as the Bendigo Fillies Crown.
"The Bendigo Final is worth $75,000 and that really has to be her main aim for the rest of the season."
While Dancingonmoonlight has shown she loves Harold Park, she is still likely to be the outsider of the Kiwi quartet in the Derby.
Hunka Hickling and Mike's Pal ensured their support with strong heat wins last Friday night while Stars And Stripes, who flew out of Auckland with driver Ken Barron yesterday, is the likely favourite as he chases his fourth Derby win.
Tony Herlihy, who drove Hunka Hickling and Mike's Pal last Friday, will partner Mike's Pal while trainer Mark Purdon will drive Hunka Hickling.
"They were both impressive in very different types of races and the draw will play a big part in who wins this week," said Herlihy.
Racing: Derby a tough task against hard colts
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