Randwick trainer Grahame Begg is warning punters not to discount the chances of his regally-bred filly Just Dancing in Saturday’s $550,000 G1 Thrifty Royal Randwick Guineas (1600m) on her home track.
Just Dancing will tackle 12 rivals in the set weight classic for three-year-olds over the most famous mile course of them all and the barrier draw has aided some of the chances while hindered others, like Just Dancing.
In Gold Edition style, Just Dancing has been heading to the paddock for a couple of days rest after her runs and Begg believes it is doing his filly wonders.
”She had a freshen up at Tyreel after her first run and it does appear to have agreed with her,” Begg said.
”I’m not saying it would work with every horse but it definitely agrees with her.”
On Saturday Begg has been able to secure the services of the in-form Jim Cassidy who the trainer commented “is riding at the top of his game”.
”When I looked through the available jockeys I thought who outside of Darrren Beadman and Hugh Bowman rides Group One winners and Jimmy has ridden 99,” he said.
”He’s also riding as good as anyone in Sydney over the last couple of months and he did win the Furious on her.”
After a somewhat indifferent performance first-up in the Light Fingers, Just Dancing made sharp improvement last Saturday in the Surround where she worked home strongly, catching the eye over the final 200m to finish third behind Gold Edition.
”She did everything we wanted her to do, we rode her quiet and she pulled up very well,” he said.
”I think she’s done better this week that any week she’s been in this preparation.
”Her coats brighter this week that what it was before so the run has brought her right on.
”By taking on the colts in the Guineas it allows us to space her runs out into the Oaks.
”She’ll have her next run in three weeks in the Arrowfield Stakes (2000m) and then she’ll go back to the farm after Saturday for another freshen-up for a few days.
”I don’t think she’s without a good chance on Saturday but I’d like some rain.
”I don’t think she’s just a wet tracker but she loves the cut in the ground whereas a lot of others don’t.”