There was no shortage of green 2-year-olds tracking down the straight in the Vale Don Jackson Maiden Plate (1000m), which paved the way for the Wanjina debutant The Sun Dance to capture the opener on Caloundra Cup Day.
Settled midfield by Robbie Dolan, The Sun Dance made his run on the inside as the leader, Warrior Head, veered out, taking a few with him.
The heavy track proved no obstacle for The Sun Dance, who went to the line straight as an arrow to defeat the Flying Artie debutant Tell No Gossip by a half-length with the well-supported Headwater gelding Warrior Head back in third.
Trained by James Moore, The Sun Dance was a $65,000 purchase from the Collingrove Stud draft at the 2022 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale.
The son of Wandjina is the sixth winner from as many foals for the Beautiful Crown (USA) mare Hilldale, who won on debut at Cessnock and never raced again.
From the family of Horse Of The Year, Research, Hilldale has a weanling filly by Fierce Impact (JPN) and was covered by Kermadec.
Larneuk Stud’s Group 1 winning stallion Wandjina is riding high in Hong Kong as the sire of the recently crowned Champion 4-year-old Galaxy Patch Champion 4YO and last weeks Happy Valley winners, Prince Of Porty and Flamingo Trillion.
The handsome son of Snippets stands for a value fee of $6,600.
