Racing: Looking for some Rough Habit magic

Waikato trainer Lance Noble hopes some Rough Habit magic will rub off on Nordic Dancer when she contests the group one Queensland Oaks on Saturday.

Nordic Dancer's dam is Danish Habit, a half-sister to Rough Habit, the great New Zealand horse who is enshrined in Queensland racing history with a bar at Doomben racetrack named after him following his deeds on the racetrack.

"Nordic Dancer is out of a Danehill half-sister to Rough Habit and the breeders have always said the breed just come right at this time of year," Noble, from Matamata, said yesterday.

"I just hope a little of Rough Habit can rub off on her, because he was such a legend in Queensland."

Included in Rough Habit's wins in the state were a Queensland Derby, three Doomben Cups, two Stradbroke Handicaps and an emotional winning farewell to Australian racing in the 1995 O'Shea Stakes.

Nordic Dancer was more of a staying type, being by the English Derby winner Generous and that would be to her big advantage in the Oaks, Noble said.

"She has always looked a stayer and around Eagle Farm at this (2400m) distance, you've got to be a genuine stayer.

"I'm quite confident she will stay the trip, and usually there are quite a few in the Oaks that don't."

Nordic Dancer's disadvantage is she is likely to strike a firm track. Her four runs this season in New Zealand have all been on wet tracks.

"We came over hoping we might get some rain, but it does not look likely," Noble said.

"However, the tracks aren't what we would call firm at home, they have a good cushion on them. Even if there is no rain, I still think she will go a good race."

Nordic Dancer won a 2000m race at Te Rapa on April 29 and was third at her last start on a heavy track over 2200m at Paeroa two weeks ago.

Noble was pleased to gain the services of jockey Scott Seamer, who has built up a great affinity with New Zealand-trained horses since his 2001 Melbourne Cup win on Ethereal and was happy with barrier nine in the 20-horse field.

Seamer has confirmed he will ride New Zealand hope Gee I Jane in the Stradbroke Handicap on June 10.

Nordic Dancer arrived in Brisbane on Tuesday, along with another Oaks hopeful in the Graeme Sanders and Debbie Sweeney-trained Kruger Valley, who drew barrier one and will be ridden by Michael Rodd.

- NZPA