Mare makes the most of her Group One chance

Racing dreams for Stolen Dance were fulfilled at Trentham when she earned Group One successin possibly her final appearance.

The Alamosa mare had been a multiple placegetter at the highest level before she overcame a testing run for a clear-cut victory in Saturday’s Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m), in which she finished runner-up to Kawi in 2016.

Stolen Dance was then trained by David Greene, but transferred to the Cambridge stable of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman after she was purchased by Gerald Shand.

“She really deserved this and it’s great for Gerald,” Forsman said. “We got her after a lot of hard work by David Greene, we’re lucky to have her for her last preparation.”

In foal to Tavistock, Stolen Dance may now be retired at the top of her game.

“She could run in the Herbie Dyke Stakes, but maybe this is her last run,” Forsman said.

Stolen Dance was sent out at odds of 22-1 with her stablemate Love Affair installed favourite, but she was never a factor under jockey Matt Cameron.

“It was an indifferent run and Matt said she just never travelled,” Forsman said.

Little went right in the running for Stolen Dance’s rider Sam Spratt either, but the mare was good enough to overcome a tough run.

“We were three wide and got pushed out four and five wide so it was a gutsy effort,” she said.

“It was great, she’s been knocking on the door for some time and at least being out wide let her get into her own rhythm.”

Stolen Dance improved around runners 1000m from home to hit the front half-way down the straight and she had more than enough in reserve to hold Watch This Space and Hiflyer at bay.