Cambridge Stud’s Brendan and Jo Lindsay have announced that First Dance (NZ) will carry their silks in next week’s inaugural running of the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie on Barfoot & Thompson Champions Day.
The couple secured the last remaining slot at last year’s auction with a view of having their own runner in the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race, and they have done just that with Monday’s selection.
A daughter of Zousain, First Dance was bred by Whakanui Stud and was offered through Haunui Farm’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales Series Book 1 draft, where she was purchased by Cambridge Stud for $280,000.
Ellerslie has been a happy hunting ground for First Dance, winning her maiden on the track in October over 1200m for the Lindsay’s private trainer Lance Noble, and she was also runner-up over 1400m last month behind fellow NZB Kiwi contender and subsequent Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and Listed Trevor Corallie Eagle Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) placegetter Dealt With.
“Henry Plumptre (Cambridge Stud Chief Executive) selected her, and she was a lovely type,” Noble said.
“She has taken a little bit of time. In the spring, we earmarked her as a potential candidate (for the NZB Kiwi) and after her maiden win we put her aside to miss Christmas racing.
“To get her there (NZB Kiwi), we couldn’t have kept racing her over summer, she would be tired by now. You have a plan and you work backwards from it, and it has worked out nicely.
“She has been very consistent and her run against Dealt With gave us a good line, especially when he came out and ran so well in his next start in the TAB Karaka Millions 3YO over a mile.”
Noble is looking forward to being a part of the inaugural running of the NZB Kiwi and is proud to be representing his employers in the Ellerslie showpiece.
“We are really excited to have one of our horses from the farm make the race,” he said.
“Being big breeders, they (Lindsays) don’t buy that many horses, but they have a few. I am really thrilled for the staff at the farm and the whole operation. It is great to have one (NZB Kiwi runner) in Brendan and Jo’s colours and from my stable.
“It (NZB Kiwi) is a great concept and to be a part of something for the first time is fantastic. I think every trainer was trying to have a horse good enough to get in, and to have a runner is great, so I am very excited.”
Meanwhile, Noble is looking forward to heading to Barfoot & Thompson Champions Day with another strong chance, with About Time set to contest the Group 1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m).
The four-year-old daughter of American Pharoah had won four consecutive races before finishing runner-up behind Blue Sky At Night in last Saturday’s Group 3 Eagle Technology Avondale Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie.
Noble was pleased with the performance and is hoping they can turn the tables on their rival next week.
“It was a top run and we were beaten by one better on the day,” he said. “All being well, and she seems fine, we will go back and have a rematch in the Auckland Cup.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
