Dance looking forward to two-state assault

Friday 9 May 2014, 5:04pm

As Platelet prepares for her shot at history in Adelaide on Saturday, Group-winning stablemate Lonhspresso will step out at Flemington to kick-start her campaign towards winter carnival glory.

Next month's Group One Tattersall's Tiara is Lonhspresso's target and managing owner Darren Dance, of Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, is excited to have her back at the races.

Less than 30 minutes after the Darren Weir-trained Lonhspresso resumes in the All Victorian Sprint Series heat at Flemington, stablemate Platelet will aim to become the first horse since Musket Belle in 1912 to win consecutive Group One Goodwoods at Morphettville.

Dance is also the managing owner of Platelet who needs to overcome a wide barrier.

"It's a big ask but we couldn't be any happier with her," Dance said.

Platelet charged home for second to Driefontein in her attempt to defend the Robert Sangster Stakes last start, and the rain which forced a track downgrade to slow on Friday was welcomed by Dance who will watch the race from Flemington.

"I think if anything the rain enhances her chances and I expect once again, as she always does, she'll finish in the top four," he said.

Lonhspresso beat Goodwood contender Essay Raider in a Group Two race last season and was a luckless fifth behind Fontelina in the Group Two Yellowglen Stakes at Flemington during a three-start spring campaign.

Dance said the lightly-raced four-year-old was given a good spell with a view to the winter.

"We actually kept her at home an extra four weeks just to make sure she got right over those runs in the spring on hard tracks which don't suit her," he said.

Lonhspresso is a firming favourite for Saturday's 1100m race and Dance said the mare heads into the campaign looking better than ever.

Win or lose, he expects her to be hitting the line strongly.

"We expect her to be one of the horses to follow out of tomorrow's race," he said.

Lonhspresso is nominated for the Stradbroke but is likely to bypass that race and head to the Tattersall's Tiara via a fillies and mares lead-up race in Brisbane.

"We're quietly confident if we manage and place her right, which we have, that in a Group One she can run in the top three," Dance said.

"And that's really what we want to do."

– AAP

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