KEY POINTS:
Trainer Gai Waterhouse admits her multiple group one winner Dance Hero is well weighted for his return to racing at Randwick in Sydney on Saturday.
But she believes Takeover Target is still the horse to beat.
The pair have won nine group one races between them and will clash in the A$100,000 ($117,000) Arrowfield Quality Handicap (1200m) at the first meeting in Sydney since the equine influenza outbreak in late August.
Dance Hero, who defeated Shadoways and champion mare Miss Andretti to win last year's Salinger Stakes, will carry 58kg giving him a 3kg weight advantage over Takeover Target.
"Yes, he's [Dance Hero] very well off," Waterhouse said yesterday.
Waterhouse, who flys to the US today for a 12-day holiday, declared the handicapper had also let five-time group one winner Takeover Target off lightly.
"He [Takeover Target] probably should have 65 kilos," she said. "He's the horse to beat and is a class act.
"But I'm very happy with Dance Hero, he's done everything right since he's been back."
Dance Hero hasn't started since finishing last to Mitanni in the group two Sir Byrne Hart Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm in April but tuned up for his return with a barrier trial win at Rosehill last Friday.
Stablemate and Group winner Pasikatera, who ran fourth in the same trial, will also line up in the Arrowfield.
Boom sprinter Natural Destiny won't be running in the Arrowfield with trainer Gordon Yorke yesterday confirming his charge would instead run in the Kings Bloodstock Quality Handicap at Doomben on Saturday.
- AAP
