KEY POINTS:
Reese Jones was shell-shocked after the $100,000 Mercedes Championship Stakes at Ellerslie yesterday.
The Matamata-based jockey produced a brilliant tactical front-running ride aboard lightly-supported Benedict and appeared to have the opposition in trouble 100m out.
That was until visiting Sydney colt Redoute's Dancer and jockey Vinny Colgan produced
a blistering sprint down the middle of the track to snatch a half-length victory.
A further 2 1/4 lengths away in third was Stolen Thunder with the favourite Magic Cape right alongside.
Nothing could be taken from Jones' ride - but all honours were with Redoute's Dancer.
The striking son of Redoute's Choice was described before the Group Two feature as a powerful staying colt with a dour finish.
There was nothing dour about the blistering closing 200m sprint produced by Redoute's Dancer who should strip fitter for the $700,000 Mercedes Derby on March 3. The Tim Martin-trained colt produced an impressive trial for New Zealand's premier 3-year-old race.
While all honours were with the winner, there was much to admire in the performance of Magic Cape.
The favourite settled near the rear of the field and sustained a run over the closing 800m making up a huge amount of ground wide out.
Magic Cape's trainer Shaune Ritchie was well-satisfied.
"It was a good effort as the race wasn't run at a real tempo and our fella got back and finished the race off strongly," said Ritchie. "He wouldn't have blown a match out after the race, so I now know I have a fit horse heading into the Derby.
"I've got two weeks to train some speed back into his legs and he'll be ready for a big effort in the Derby.
"However, we're going to need a genuine pace set in front otherwise it'll upset a lot of horses that have being trained to run out a solid 2400m."
The New Zealand TAB reacted quickly to Redoute's Dancer's victory, installing him a $4 favourite on fixed odds betting, relegating Magic Cape to $5 second favouritism.
Dean Phillips will not have to stress about the likely weather forecast heading into the $700,000 SkyCity Auckland Cup at Ellerslie on March 7 with stable star Luckshan.
The Matangi-based trainer knows Luckshan can handle any type of track conditions thrown at him on race day.
The 5-year-old has been a consistent performer, scoring five wins and six minor placings from 19 starts.
Luckshan clinched a start in the Group One feature when outsprinting a useful field to win the $25,000 SkyCity Auckland Cup Prelude.
Phillips was well-organised before the Cup Prelude, securing Darryl Bradley to ride Luckshan in the cup itself.
Opie Bosson displayed exceptional judgment timing Luckshan's sprint finish perfectly sweeping past the opposition to score by 1 1/4 lengths over Genebel. A further nose away in third was Prize Lady.
"Come rain or sunshine I know my horse will run through anything on Auckland Cup day so I'm not worried about the weather," said Phillips.
"This horse has come a long way in a short time as he only started racing in November 2005. I've known for a while that Opie couldn't ride him at 53kg in the Auckland Cup, so I've got Darryl Bradley to replace him."
Bradley was badly concussed in a race fall at Te Rapa last Saturday but will be back to riding fitness in time for the Auckland Cup.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
