A Season of Success ... continues

Enjoy the second of our "Season of Success" profiles - as the 2017/18 season draws to a close we thought we would take the opportunity to reflect on our record breaking Group and Listed race victories for the season ... this horse, purchased by David Ellis, responsible for two of those ...

A day after Gingernuts (Iffraaj) won the Windsor Park Plate (Gr. 1, 1600m) in September at Hastings, Chance To Dance (8 g Teofilo - Crystal Ballet, by Royal Academy) made his first New Zealand start a winning one in the $50,000 Haunui Farm Karaka Classic (Listed, 1600m) at Pukekohe.

Bought six months prior for $260,000 by David Ellis at the inaugural Inglis Chairman's Sale of Elite Racing Prospects in Sydney, Chance To Dance was a former European and Australian galloper and following the purchase he finished second in the $2m Sydney Cup (Gr. 1, 3200m) - subsequently declared a non-race - and then ran fifth a fortnight later in the rerun.

He signalled his readiness to resume off 155 days with an eye-catching second to talented mare Deals In Heels (Iffraaj) when trialling in August at Avondale, and had won fresh-up previously over a mile when beating Ranvet Stakes (Gr. 1, 2000m) winner The United States (Galileo) at Moonee Valley.

Hot off the win aboard Gingernuts, rider Opie Bosson again produced a faultless performance. Carrying top weight (60kgs) and giving seven kilos to a majority of his 13 opponents, Chance To Dance received an economical trip midfield on the inner and showed staying qualities when forcing between runners near the line.

Having been working with Gingernuts, it was a fitting weekend for the pair, and a great result for owners in the Fortuna Chance To Dance Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin).

Two start later, on Melbourne Cup Day, Chance to Dance (8 g Teofilo - Crystal Ballet, by Royal Academy) won the $70,000 OMF Stakes (Gr. 3, 2000m) at Ellerslie.

Given a dream trip in the trail by Bosson, Chance to Dance was off the rail to challenge at the 200m and simply outstayed some handy opponents over the concluding stages.

It was the ninth win by Chance to Dance; his seventh from 2000m - 2400m.

As well as a Northern Dancer cross in his bloodlines, Chance to Dance sports an interesting cross on his dam side of Crimson Satan (Spy Song). The American thoroughbred was from Argentine mare Papila, considered one of the best mares imported from South America, and although he became Champion Two-Year-Old in 1961, after winning seven of his 13 starts, he was not distance limited. Noteworthy, Crimson Satan had substantial influence as the grand-dam sire of leading stallion Storm Cat (Storm Bird) who at one stage stood for $500,000. He was also considered an excellent source of good bone, soundness, and adding dapple to the coats of his progeny.