The Big Dance on Cup Day – November 1st

Big Dance

(3yo+ Quality - 1600m)

Post Race Details & Comments

Winning Horse: Rustic Steel(Aus)

5yoG Deep Field (Aus) - Ten Carat Rock (Aus)(Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire))

17 starts - 8 wins 3 thirds 2 fourths $1695490

Black Type Wins

1st LR Scone Darley Scone Cup 1600m (2022)

Black Type Placings

Other Wins

1st Gosford The Coast 1600m (2022)

1st Newcastle Polytrack Prov. Qualifier (C5) 1400m (2022)

1st Randwick-Kensington Earthlight @ Darley (Bm72) 1300m (2021)

1st Randwick-Kensington Vinery Stud (Bm72) 1150m (2021)

1st Newcastle Avid Pm (Bm64) 1200m (2021)

1st Randwick Sharp Extensive It Mdn Plate 1100m (2020) (Debut Run)

Race Result:

1st: Rustic Steel (K Lees/N Rawiller) - $12
2nd: Cisco Bay (G Ryan & S Alexiou/T Schiller) - $9.50
3rd: Sibaaq (A Neasham/C Schofield) - $6.50EF

Winning Time: 1:33.87 Last 600m: 34.82

Margins: ½Head x 1½L

Winning Trainer: Kris Lees

On the horse: “He really is a good horse. He qualified through the Scone Cup. That was on a six day turnaround off The Coast. So we put him away with this race in mind. He got a lovely ride from Nash. He had plenty of horse underneath him. He got him into clear air straightening up. I knew he’d be strong but was little concerned that last 100m. He had enough in the tank.”

On the run: “I went off a touch early. I started to pull back that last 50m. Great result. Really thrilled for the staff at home. They’ve done a really good job with this horse. He’s a bit of a handful. And to the Wanless family they’ve been so supportive. A lot of people to thank and it’s really rewarding.”

On the planning: “We have a base either end of the state to target the right races. Thrilled to have four runners in it. A bigger thrill to win it.”

Winning Jockey: Nash Rawiller

On the race: “It was a high pressure race. They all wanted to be there. He got into rhythm mid-race. I was happy where we were. He let go with a great turn of foot at the start of the straight. I was vulnerable late, that last 100m felt like 400m but felt credit to all involved with him. He was able to go right to the line.”

Blinkers on did the trick?: “It has probably helped. I think this is the race Kris has targeted from a long way out and I think that was the difference. It wasn’t an afterthought. This is the race they wanted to win and he was able to produce on the day.”

On winning the first edition: “I couldn’t win an Everest or a Golden Eagle but pretty happy with a Big Dance.”

Beaten Jockeys:

Brenton Avdulla (Bandersnatch): “He ran honestly. Front he draw he was not afforded any favours. Faced the breeze.”

Regan Bayliss (Surf Dancer): “Courageous effort. Only a little horse and had to carry the 61kg. He prefers a bit of cut out of the ground. That ground is quite firm.”

Kyle Wilson-Taylor (Charmmebaby): “Lobbed into a nice spot. We were able to creep the whole race which is important with her. Probably about 600m from home she spat the bridle out and gave nothing so a bit disappointing.”

Frankie Dettori (Hosier): “Ground was too firm. Pulled up sore.”

James Orman (Aleas): “Got a nice run midfield. They sprinted without us but it was a pretty good run.”

Chad Schofield (Sibaaq): “Good run. Would have liked a bit more tempo mid-race. He had every chance and a good trip but ran well.”

William Pike (Quality Time): “Pace was a bit steady and found a bit of trouble at different stages.”

Keagan Latham (Cognac): “He’s been in it for a long time. Just in need of a break.”

Jeff Penza (Ready To Humble): “Jumped well from an inside alley. Helped himself out early getting into a nice spot. Travelled to the home turn. Good run.”

Dylan Gibbons (Kedah): “She ran as good as she could. A bit out of her grade but ran an honest race.”

Tyler Schiller (Cisco Bay): “Horse is flying.”

Jay Ford (Wicklow): “Obviously settled a long way back from the outside gate. FInished his race off quite well.”

Grant Buckley (Casino Kid): “Great effort. Just didn’t get a lot of room in the run. Horse likes a bit of room. Ran a good race.”

Kathy O'Hara (Impasse): “Ran an honest race. Probably not suited at the mile.”

Alysha Collett (Regal Stage): No comment given.

Ellen Hennessy (Al Mah Haha): “Super run. Just probably needed it.”

Reece Jones (Caesars Palace): “Tough run. Caught wide. Kept getting bumped into from the inside horses and getting smashed. He’ll win more races.”

Quayde Krogh (One Aye): “She ran super. Out of her skin. Just stopped her momentum at a crucial part of the race but finished off nicely.

Andrew Adkins (Spanish Point): “Track was way too hard for him. A bit brilliant for him over that trip. Needs further.”

Race Photo:

Trainer: Number of Australian Black Type Wins for Trainers in this field

Jockey: Number of Australian Black Type Wins for Jockeys in this field