WHEN Sugar Dance ran past the post at Tyers Park on Friday afternoon it may have only been as victor of a maiden race, yet his name is certainly worth remembering.
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A member of Mudgee trainer Gayna Williams’ team, Sugar Dance came under her guidance after previously being with leading Sydney conditioner Chris Waller.
The gelding, sired by winner of the 2010 Group 3 Skyline Stakes Hinchinbrook, made his debut in January at Randwick.
But after Sugar Dance placed last in a field of five in that race, the decision was made to move him from Waller’s stable to Williams’ base.
“The owners sent him up here probably to have a little bit of time to mature, race in a bit easier company,” Williams said.
“He was a $100,000 yearling, so he’s nicely bred.”
On the back of a handy second in an open trial at Dubbo late last month, Sugar Dance started Friday’s Colts and Geldings Maiden Plate (1,108 metres) as the $2.25 favourite.
He did not make the best of starts, jockey Josh Adams working him through the centre while up front, Sulaymanee led the way.
At the 700m mark Sugar Dance had improved to sit in fifth, 3½ lengths off Sulaymanee.
Adams continued to push forward with the favourite, and as he peeled three-wide into the straight, was within striking distance.
Sugar Dance then ran to the lead and while Mad Pirate ($3.70) – a gelding part owned by NSW State or Origin player James Maloney – challenged as the post neared, the favourite held on.
Sugar Dance finished a length clear of Mad Pirate to pick up the first win of his career, while 2¾ further back, $101 outsider Rise Me Up from the Bathurst stables of Paul Theobald snuck into third.
“He was a little bit slow away, but Josh said that may have worked in his favour as he won well,” Williams said.
“He said he could’ve won by further, he was just looking around a fair bit, pricked his ears coming to the post, star gazing a little bit. But he is a new one.”
Williams will consult with the owners before deciding on the three-year-old’s next test.