Sunday Double Goes Down a Treat

A Sunday double to PROVEN THOROUGHBREDS was as much a relief as it was joy. The two horses concerned, DANCING DOLL (Hawkesbury) and SOUL CRUSADE (Canberra), had run up 7 placings between them this preparation so victories were deserved as well as overdue.

In the case of DANCING DOLL (100k MM Premier Sale 2007), a trip to the winner’s circle was particularly satisfying as she’d racked up several placings in town and had been to the races a dozen times for 7 placings in all. Beautifully placed by Guy Walter in a Set Weights 1600m Maiden at Hbry Sunday, the Danehill Dancer mare toweled her moderate rivals by 3 lengths under a minimum of pressure in an armchair ride for Rod Quinn. 

An hour later SOUL CRUSADE (55k MM Premier Sale 2008) charged home in a fast run 1600m to win the equivalent maiden at Canberra. Four previous starts had yielded a trio of placings and he clearly relished the rise in distance. Given his pedigree that’s somewhat surprising as none of the 10 winners in his first two dams have won beyond 1400m. Perhaps the influence of his sire Lion Heart provides some stamina as he was able to stretch his abundant speed out to 1800m and did run second in a Kentucky Derby.

The double lifts the PROVEN total of wins to 12 for the season and 23 for the calendar year. It was also a big day for part owner Simon Greenaway who has an interest in both horses. Two wins on the same day is a personal best for Simon and with both occurring around lunchtime about 60mins apart, it made for a memorable afternoon.