3 minute read

Trainer and jockey quotes following the Group 2 Ladbrokes Angus Armanasco Stakes won by Shuffle Dancer at Sandown on Saturday.

Race Result:

1st: Shuffle Dancer (Peter Moody/Ben Melham) - $3F
2nd: Royal Merchant (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace/Michael Dee) - $8.50
3rd: Call Di (Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou/Damien Oliver) - $4.80

Winning Time: 1:23.64    Last 600m: N/A

Margins: Long Head x 1¾L

Shuffle Dancer goes back-to-back & gets a G2 win to her name @moodyracingpgm @BMelham pic.twitter.com/oEGC720b0a

— Racing.com (@Racing) February 25, 2023

Winning Trainer: Peter Moody (Assistant Trainer Katherine Coleman speaking)

"I thought she was super. She was tough today and she did get a little nice cart into it there but I thought she was good through the line."

Any concerns keeping out of trouble: "That was Ben's concern pre-race. We thought it might be a bit sticky from that gate but he did a good job getting her into that spot.

"She has had a little freshen up between runs and I think she'll improve from this but she was still strong through the line."

Next: "That was really important black type for her today and then she'll probably head towards the Kewney now."

Winning Jockey: Ben Melham

"She's a good filly. She hasn't got a lot of good tactical speed and in today's race that was my concern.

"From an awkward draw and a tricky speed map, but I was able to get a bit of cover from Dear Jewel for the first part of the race. It followed on outside of the leader and I was able to flush She's Licketysplit out and get a good cart from it around the turn.

"Good training performance because he had to put her on ice for a little bit. She had a trial to keep her up to the mark.

"(She was) Quite warm behind the barriers and I imagine she'll improve again from that."

Could she rise in distance: "The race is the easy part of riding her. She's got good determination and desire to win. She's pretty straightforward but I'm not sure.

"It wouldn't shock me if she could get a bit of a trip. She'll allow herself to do so with her racing manners."