DANCINGINTHEWOODS, owned by Solario Racing (Ashridge) made his racecourse debut yesterday on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile and won by a short head at the rather rewarding odds of 50/1 under Joey Haynes.
The 2yo son of Garswood was one of 19 runners, six of whom had run before, including first time out winner, Apollinaire. The colt had been working nicely at home and had showed up well in a recent Barrier Trial at Lingfield but he’d never galloped on grass before and Newmarket can be a daunting place for two-year-olds.
While he has been professional at home, in the pre-parade, “Woody” as he is known, was hollering with enthusiasm and one wondered if he would be green in the race. As it turned out, he was nearer last than first early on but picked up and really motored during the final furlong to collar the long time leader in the last stride.
The Racing Post said: “Picking up the experienced leader, with the other market leaders just behind, took some doing and this half-brother to five winners (mostly 1m+) clearly has some talent.” While connections knew he had talent, it’s a different kettle of fish going to the racecourse and translating that ability onto the racecourse first time out.
Dancinginthewoods was a modest purchase, costing just 15,000 guineas at Tattersalls Book Three. The son of Garswood out of an Inchinor mare and a half-brother to five previous individual winners has an entry in the Tattersalls October Auction Stakes in October and this will be a long term target.
Solario Racing’s Simon Double said: “I still can’t quite believe it. To win at Newmarket on the colt’s debut and in the manner in which he did, picking them up one by one, is incredible. He’s been given a lovely ride by Joey Haynes. He’s an exciting colt and we’ve a lot to look forward to.”