Zousain mare dances victory jig

Time away has served First Dance well, as she emphasised with her stylish return at Ellerslie.

The four-year-old thrived during a break and off the back of a quiet lead-up trial, trainer Lance Noble had our daughter of Zousain ready to fire over 1100 metres.

First Dance settled midfield on the fence and was into the clear 250 metres from home to quickly to put the issue beyond doubt under Warren Kennedy.

“It’s a very pleasing result and a great ride by Warren, who was very patient,” Noble said.

“She was just a little bit immature last season and now we can attack some of the better races with confidence.”

First Dance has won twice from nine appearances and Kennedy said he was confident of the mare posting her second victory from nine attempts a long way from home.

“She was cruising in behind them waiting for the split and when it came, it was all over.”

First Dance was bred by Whakanui Stud and we secured her for $280,000 from Haunui Farm’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.

She is out of the Snitzel mare Shadow Dancer, who is from the family of the three-time Group 1 winner Sea Siren, whose daughter Warm Heart also claimed a hat-trick of elite titles, and the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes winner Ruthless Dame.

‍