Dancing Rain set towards the ballet at the Ascot on Qipco British Champions Day
There are those who are setting forth the William Hill Ayr Silver/Gold Cup as a future achievement and then there are those who are aiming at the Ascot on Qipco British Champions Day. This is as competitive as it can get.
Deacon Blues, a highly expectant entry for the Ascot, has led to Dancing Rain’s connections thinking on the same lines.
The 3-year-old Irish out of Danehill Dancer and Rain Flower, trained by William Haggas, won the Henkel-Preis Der Diana-Deutsches Stuten Derby, in a field of sixteen against Djumama, the runner-up, and Aigrette Garzette, the third position holder.
Dancing Rain was being ridden by Kieren Fallon and she broke out of the gate quite impressively, instantly getting hold of the lead.
She stayed persistent with the pace, geared up towards the end of the final furlong and went through the wire almost effortlessly.
Prior to this, in July, at the Darley Irish Oaks, a Group 1 race, Dancing Rain made it to the fifth position among a field of nine contestants.
This time it was J Murtagh riding the horse. There were some very prominent representations at the race that day. Mahmood Al Zarooni’s Blue Bunting under Frankie Dettori, A P O’Brien’s Wonder of Wonders, Gemstone and Amazing Beauty.
Dancing Rain took away the Epsom in June with J Murtagh with similar representation of A P O’Brien’s Wonder of Wonders and Mahmood Al Zarooni’s Blue Bunting under Frankie Dettori.
Thus, she has already been part of two Group 1 races, winning one and standing fifth in the other.
Winning the Group 1 with J Murtagh might just be a blessing for Deacon Blue’s connections as there is a possibility that Dancing Rain’s connections might end up opting for J Murtagh as the jockey for the big day for more secure results.
Regarding her future, Haggas went on saying, "She's still on course for the Pride Stakes, and then Japan”.
The battle over rides and their respective jockeys continues as the race is approaching.
Going for the best options available and taking all the necessary precautions, one still never knows that when, where, how and towards whom the tables actually turn in the end.
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