KEY POINTS:
On paper Dancing Prince may be a chasing lightweight compared with some of his more decorated rivals at Paeroa today.
His only two steeplechase victories have been over little more than brush hurdles and over trips 800m shorter than the $25,000 Lion Red Inter-Island Steeples.
But regular rider Phillip Turner is also confident the patiently handled Jim and Anna Clement-trained Hawera visitor is only just getting warmed up.
"He'll get that easy," said Matamata-based Turner of the Inter-Island's 4900m test.
"The more ground the better for him and he has a high cruising speed."
Turner expects Dancing Prince may leap the first few fences a little high today, having never experienced live jumps on raceday.
But countering that for Turner is that he should have plenty of time to let Dancing Prince find his rhythm.
Outside of former race winner Bart, it is hard to see any of his other rivals beginning at race-record speeds.
Turner, looking to cap a career-best season with his first feature race, also knows he jumps aboard a razor-sharp Dancing Prince today.
The pair tuned up for today's test with a hard-finishing sixth in a 2760m hurdle event at Ellerslie on Great Northern Day on September 8.
Turner said he got held up at a crucial time and needed the breaks to go his way over a trip now well short of his best.
Dancing Prince was supposed to run that same day in the Northern Hurdles (4190m) but couldn't get off the ballot.
"I rang Jim [Clement] the other day and he said the horse is absolutely flying; he's jumping out of his skin," said Turner.
"He's ready."
Last year's McGregor Grant and Hawkes Bay chase winner Primo Canera should be the hardest for Dancing Prince to beat.
A minor knock forced him to bypass the Great Northern on September 8 but at his best he'd be a major menace in a sub-par field.
The Ann Browne-trained topweight is also a must include on a multiple ticket for the most challenging chase of the day, the $150,000 Pick Six.
If the forecasted rain arrives early enough Pukekohe mare Wild Cat can also help trim the outlay.
The leg three fancy failed badly last-time out but is back in a much easier grade in better conditions.
After the mid-way point, however, you really start to earn the $150,000.
For those on a limited budget, Our Genes and course specialist Tuscaloosa could help lighten the burden in leg five.
