Dashing Dixie was the bridesmaid last weekend when runner-up to Angels Halo in the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m), and her connections are hoping she can be the bride on Saturday when she backs up in the Gr.2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton.
Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott were rapt with her performance and equally pleased with how she came through the race, so they have elected to give her another shot at Group One glory this weekend, where she will be ridden for the first time by Lisa Allpress.
“We are backing the filly up and her form is best left-handed, hence why we have stayed down there to have another crack at running her in a Group One,” O’Sullivan said.
“She ran super last Saturday. She came through the run no problem at all. She has certainly done well, her weight is pretty similar, and she hasn’t taken a backwards step. She has thrived.”
Dashing Dixie will be one of three runners in the 2000 Guineas for Wexford Stables, with the daughter of Alabama Express being joined in Christchurch by stablemates Coniston and Rip Tide earlier this week.
“It is nice to have three runners, and I am really pleased with them,” O’Sullivan said.
While Coniston has mixed his form this spring, he has proven to be an exciting prospect and sealed his trip south with victory in the Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Te Rapa on Labour Day.
“It was good to see him do that,” O’Sullivan said. “He showed he wanted to stick his head out and have a go, and he tried very hard.”
The son of Wootton Bassett has drawn the outside gate in the 10-horse field and will be ridden once again by Joe Doyle.
“He has got a bit of an awkward gate, but it’s Joe’s job and I am sure he will sort it out as it goes,” O’Sullivan said. “Both he and Rip Tide travelled down well, and they are fit and sound horses.”
A winner on debut at Taupo in September, Rip Tide subsequently placed over 1400m at Matamata before booking his 2000 Guineas berth with a pleasing fourth behind Coniston in the Sarten.
He has drawn the ace marble and will be ridden by New Zealand champion jockey Craig Grylls.
Dashing Dixie currently heads the TAB’s market for the 2000 Guineas at $4.50, with Coniston an equal second favourite, alongside Excite, at $5, while Rip Tide is at $11. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
