FIRST ONE ON THE BOARD FOR TEAM LUCIANI

After a few frustrating weeks of horses going amiss and the usual stable hiccups, the new training partnership of Lou and Dion Luciani broke through for their maiden win at Belmont on Saturday. The horse to provide the new team with the maiden victory was the consistent and promising galloper AMELIAS DANCER. The horse was racing first up after a short break and dropping back from 2200m to 1600m. AMELIAS DANCER has always displayed above average ability and I must admit that I thought he would meaasure up as a stayer this campaign. After watching him race over a middle distance at his previous three runs, I was not as confident about his staying ability and we decided to switch him back to the shorter journey. I think with a bit more age and experience the horse is capable of making it in suitable country Cups and the first one of those may be the Boulder Cup at Kalgoorlie in three weeks time. The fast tempo and the 1760m should be ideal for him.

AMELIAS DANCER gets up in the last few strides to wear down the favourite  for a brilliant win with stable rider Jason Whiting on board producing one of his classic sit back rides.

A very proud DION LUCIANI leads his first winner AMELIAS DANCER back to scale after his victory on Saturday. An equally proud old man looks on keeping an eagle eye on the situation.