Big weight for The Big Dance favourite

Posted by RS NewsWire at 4:30pm on November 6th

Matthew Dunn is confident the inform Cepheus can concede weight to all his rivals and win the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) after drawing barrier one for Tuesday’s feature at Randwick.

Having qualified for the race in July when winning the South Grafton Cup carrying 62kg, Cepheus will carry the same weight at Randwick after winning twice more since, once at Group 2 level.A last-start winner of the Alan Brown Stakes, Cepheus missed his final lead up run in the Filante Handicap, won by Unspoken, but Dunn isn’t concerned and neither is the market, holding him as a narrow $5 favourite from Iknowastar (53kg) at $5.50.

“He had that little setback but at the end of the day, it was nothing of any significance. We did all the scans and x-rays we could to make sure he is right and he is, he’s one hundred per cent,” Dunn said.

“He has trialled since that and his work Tuesday morning was as good as I’ve ever seen him work in his life.”

Having won aboard Cepheus at his past two starts, regular jockey Nash Rawiller will again ride, with the horse again drawing inside having jumped from barrier two at his past two outings, something Dunn is thrilled about.

“That’s perfect. It’s where we want to be,” Dunn said.

“(Barrier) One is the best and they get worse from there.”

While the barrier may have been kind, Dunn admits that the weight could be starting to catch up to Cepheus, who will concede between four and ten kilograms to the rest of the field.

“It’s always an issue with 62 kilos on his back, particularly given most of the field are carrying 54 and we’re giving them all eight or nine kilos,” Dunn said.”But I think he can get it done. I don’t think that’s enough to stop him the way he is at the moment, particularly from that gate. Nash will do his thing and the horse will do the rest.”

“He is bouncing, he’s really happy. He is going into this race probably as good as I’ve ever had him for any race.”

More Racing News

Vein Girl impresses in rich Magic Millions The Debut win

Vein Girl has put herself in contention for next month’s $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a strong win on debut under lights at the Gold Coast’s first night meeting. The Chris and Corey Munce-trained Vein Girl was sent out the $3.50 favourite with betting sites in Friday night’s $250,000...

Dec 21st

Pallaton races into 2025 Golden Slipper contention

Pallaton has stamped himself as a two-year-old colt to watch heading into 2025 with an impressive debut win at Randwick. Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, Pallaton raced to a 2-3/4-length victory in Saturday’s Shinzo @ Coolmore Plate (1000m) and firmed to be among the early favourites in Golden Slipper...

Dec 21st

Arriving Home set to target the Magic Millions Guineas 2025

Trainer Bjorn Baker would love to get lightly raced filly Arriving Home into the Magic Millions Guineas next month after the three-year-old remained unbeaten with a tough win at Randwick. Stepping up from a midweek city maiden win at Warwick Farm on debut earlier this month into Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1300m) – a...

Dec 21st

The Kings horse Gilded Water wins at Randwick

Imported stayer Gilded Water has made it back-to-back victories in Australia and has given his owner, His Majesty King Charles III, a winner at Royal Randwick. The King’s racing manager John Warren was on track at Randwick on Saturday as the Ciaron Maher-trained Gilded Water raced to a convincing victory in the...

Dec 21st

Goldman digs deep in the Pakenham Cup 2024

One time Melbourne Cup favourite, Goldman has notched up his fourth win in Australia, leading throughout to take the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) under Beau Mertens. Jumping an $8.50 chance, Goldman’s staying prowess was on show as he kicked back to deny Grand Pierro ($19) by a long head, with $3.30 betting site...

Dec 21st

Here To Shock gives Lindsay Park quinella in The Supernova

Ben, Will & Jd Hayes had the numbers two and three seed to knock off race-favourite Nadal in Saturday’s $1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham and did just that, with Here To Shock, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, edging stablemate Arkansaw Kid in a thrilling stable quinella. Here To Shock ($4.60) trailed a strong...

Dec 21st

Kevin Daffy happy to wait with Oh Too Good ahead of VOBIS Gold Bullion

Trainer Kevin Daffy says there is still plenty of time to chase the big league with his lightly-raced mare Oh Too Good. A winner of four of her seven starts with three runner-up finishes as well, Oh Too Hard runs in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday. Daffy was sounded...

Dec 20th

Bedggood chases rich The Supernova prize

Two rising nine-year-olds, both resuming, will give Gavin Bedggood a potential shot at his biggest payday as a trainer. A former jockey, Bedggood has been plying his trade as a trainer since 2017 and during the recent Melbourne Spring Carnival prepared Mornington Glory to land his first Group 1 success. Just Folk and Windstorm, both...

Dec 20th

Collett hoping for Dream Brisbane raid in BJ McLachlan Stakes and Magic Millions Falvelon

A pair of promising two-year-olds from the Ciaron Maher stable have lured top Sydney hoop Jason Collett to Queensland for back-to-back meetings this weekend. Collett is heading north to partner filly Life After Love in the $250,000 Magic Millions The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night and her Maher-trained stablemate...

Dec 20th

Theodore aims to keep strike-rate going in Christmas Cup at Murray Bridge

Trainer Stephen Theodore is looking to Divine Fire keeping his impressive strike-rate going when she shoots for a winning hat-trick on Saturday. After victories at Morphettville and Gawler, Divine Fire runs in the Christmas Cup (1600m) at Murray Bridge with Jacob Opperman in the saddle. Since returning to training ranks at the start of...

Dec 20th