Shaun McGruddy is on course to extend his winning record in the Amelia Park WA Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday, but he believes Watch Me Dance is not unbeatable.
Watch Me Dance, who has recorded two wins including a breathtaking last-to-first victory on debut at Bunbury in January, is one of Perth’s better performed juveniles this season.
Trained in Albany by Steve Wolfe, the I’m All The Talk filly is unlucky not to have added black-type to her CV after running several cracking races in feature two-year-old races.
In the Karrakatta Plate (1200m) she ran a half-head second to Ima Single Man and earlier had further placings in the Gimcrack Stakes (1100m) and Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m).
Punters are confident Watch Me Dance only has to reproduce similar form lines and she will end her maiden campaign on a winning note. She is the dominant $1.85 market leader.
McGruddy, who partnered Watch Me Dance for the first time in the Karrakatta Plate, shares similar confidence, but remains cautious about claiming his fourth WA Sires.
“I am confident and it does look to be her race on paper, but I guess what you have to keep in mind it’s her first ever racing prep and it is her sixth start,” McGruddy told Tabradio.
“She is still quite new to it and with two-year-olds it’s usually on the day.
“But she only has to turn up as she has all prep and she should be very hard to beat.
“She’s trained in Albany with the paddock and beach and where it’s 10 degrees cooler.
“On paper she is the one to beat for sure.”
The Sires’ field has attracted a field of nine starters. Watch Me Dance, a $34,000 yearling, will jump from barrier two.
McGruddy is chasing his fourth WA Sires’ success after previous wins with Paris Petard (2006), Luke’s Luck (2012) and the Wolfe-trained Lordhelpmerun (2018).
Julio Santarelli