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Offering a share in $3 million, the second running of The Big Dance is set to rival the Melbourne Cup this Tuesday at Royal Randwick.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
If you're looking to find winners away from Flemington, we've run the rule over the entire 10-race card in Sydney in our 2023 Big Dance Preview below.
RACE 1 - 10:45AM: Midway BM72 Handicap (1800 METRES)
Territory Express has been up for a while, but he's still held his form nicely to return a win and a place from his last three starts.
Trained by Paul Niceforo, the lightly-raced four-year-old has likable form around the likes of Razors and Felix Majestic, while everything about his effort over the mile last week suggested he'd be suitable over longer.
This is his first go at 1800m, but if he jumps on time and settles closer, there's no reason he can't return to the winner's stall with Jason Collett retaining the ride.
RACE 2 - 11:25AM: Class 3 Highway Handicap (1000 METRES)
Emperor returns a gelding for his first start of the spring.
The last we saw of Matthew Dunn's four-year-old was at Rosehill where he found genuine excuses out wide after over-racing early on.
His previous back-to-back wins in Queensland were full of merit though, while Nash Rawiller also has a pretty good feel for the son of I Am Invincible. If the pair can run on from midfield, they should give this a good shake.
RACE 3 - 12:05PM: Class 3 Highway Handicap (1000 METRES)
Dehorned Unicorn looks ready to rock and roll here coming off a break.
His last two appearances at the trials have only been fair, but this son of Star Witness has typically been a great bet first-up, winning twice to go with a handy record here at Randwick.
Having competed at Stakes grade during the autumn, this looks a suitable contest for him with the blinkers coming off now.
RACE 4 - 12:40PM: The Agency Real Estate Handicap (1300 METRES)
Power Of The Brave should be strong late if he can get across from the wide alley under Nash Rawiller.
Kris Lees lightly-raced three-year-old showed real improvement to place at Kensington a couple of weeks ago, shifting toward the fence in the late stages before weakening in his final few strides.
Fitter, he should be set to peak third-up with the slight step back in trip also a plus.
RACE 5 - 1:20PM: Big Dance (1600 METRES)
Wicklow looks a live chance in another open edition of the Big Dance.
Chris Waller's six-year-old came on in fast stride to find the money first-up over the track and distance, taken right back in the early stages under Jason Collett before storming into the picture along the rail.
He also ran a narrow third to Bois D'Argent in a Stakes race at Rosehill earlier in the autumn, form that looks okay with that gelding running fourth in the Caulfield Cup a couple of weeks ago.
Drawn better with Tommy Berry taking over the reins for the first time, we should see further improvement from this boy.
RACE 6 - 2:30PM: Barn Dance (1300 METRES)
Cavalier Charles doesn't win out of turn, but he does look ready to peak now third-up coming off another respectable effort for fourth in The Kosciuszko.
By Denman, the seven-year-old was caught five-wide at one point and looked no chance at threatening, before letting down nicely to finish three lengths off the winner Front Page.
Off that, 1300m shouldn't be much of an issue, especially with Tommy Berry experienced in the saddle.
RACE 7 - 3:10PM: Little Dance (1600 METRES)
Cotehele has the likable third-up form for this.
He was only fair to the line in the Five Diamonds Prelude a couple of weeks back, but he arguably should have won fresh at Rosehill after being held up badly down the straight.
The son of Tavistock has been prone to some forgetful performances here at Randwick, but he seems to be going well enough to win this.
RACE 8 - 3:50PM: Precise Air Choisir Handicap (1100 METRES)
Winning form is good form, and that's exactly what Insurrection brings with him to the races.
Granted, this is a step up in grade, but the Freedman-trained four-year-old put together three impressive wins to close out his winter prep – form that has stacked up well since.
His trial win a couple of weeks ago reads well also with Chrysaor coming out and winning a Group 2 last Saturday, so aside from the wide gate, there isn't much to say he won't be winning again.
RACE 9 - 4:30PM: Quayclean Handicap (1500 METRES)
Loch Eagle strikes a winnable race coming off a runner-up effort in the Big Dance Wild Card a couple of weeks ago.
The son of Lonhro stuck to the task well despite a three-wide position in transit, and I think he'll be at peak fitness now with three runs under his belt.
He may wind up racing earlier in the day if things go his way, but if he lines up here, this sets up beautifully.
RACE 10 - 5:05PM: Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1200 METRES)
Dynamic Impact gets another crack here at Randwick, a venue that's produced some mixed results for him in the past.
That said, he looks to be on the improve if his recent effort was anything to go by, caught wide when straightening but really charging the line hard to finish runner-up.
Fitness-wise, he's ready to peak now fourth-up, and with plenty of early speed on paper, the tempo should be to his liking.
