Canterbury Double for Danehill Dancer

13th August 2008

Danehill Dancer, Europe’s leading sire of juveniles was seen to advantage at Canterbury on Wednesday with a smart double courtesy of maiden winner News Alert followed later in the day by talented mare Raqas.

The Gary White trained News Alert (4g Danehill Dancer x Breaking News, by Brief Truce) made no mistakes in leading throughout to cast off maiden status over 1250 metres and can go right on with it according to his trainer.

“He’s been racing well in much harder races so was always going to be tough to beat back in maiden class,” said White.

“He would have been one of the best maidens in Sydney!”

Not offered at auction, News Alert is from metropolitan winning Brief Truce mare Breaking News, a half-sister to stakes-winner Force Apollo from the family of Golden Slipper winner Star Watch.

The Gai Waterhouse trained Raqas took her record to three wins and a placing from fives starts with prizemoney in excess of $90,000 when scoring a powerful win under 58.5 kg in the Ratings 75 event over 1250 metres.

First up from a spell of 26 weeks the Gooree Stud owned and bred mare looks a progressive type to work through the grades.

Raqas is the first foal of the Marscay mare Passerine, who comes from the family of Group winners Precious Glitter and Beauty Watch.