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Classy filly Leviosa and her exciting stablemate Rebel Dancer give Port Macquarie trainer Jenny Graham a strong double chance at Muswellbrook on Friday.
Graham says Danehill Dancer filly Rebel Dancer has done everything right since her blistering debut win at Grafton last month and ready for a step up in the $30,000 Miss Finland (1000m).
Owned by South African Veronica Scott-Mason, Rebel Dancer looked well above average winning by 5.5 lengths in a record 56.54 seconds over 1000m at Grafton on April 10.
The win didn't surprise Graham.
"She's always shown ability and never been pushed in her work or trials. What she's doing is on natural ability," said Graham.
Graham says Rebel Dancer certainly hasn't gone backwards since her all-the-way Grafton win.
“She's excelled,” Graham said. “She's a very laid back filly but whatever you put in front of her she picks up very quickly.
“There's no doubt she comes into Muswellbrook better for the experience and she pulled up from the run exceptionally well.
“I'd have to say she will strip at least as good as Grafton if not better."
Peter Graham retains the mount and also gets his first race opportunity on Leviosa in the $30,000 Arrowfield Sprint (1000m) due to her regular rider Robert Thompson having commitments at the Wagga Cup carnival.
Leviosa, winner of four of her eight starts and unplaced just once, is on track for the $140,000 feature 3YO fillies race at the Scone Cup carnivcal on May 19.
She showed her class at her last start when a close third in the Listed P J Bell Stakes at Canterbury on April 13, a race that is proving an excellent form reference with last Saturday's Randwick winner Angel Of Mercy coming out of a sixth in that race.
“Leviosa is only a little thing and does not need much work or racing to bring her to her top,” said Graham.
“I gave her two weeks in the paddock after the P J Bell to freshen her up and this race fits in perfectly as a lead-up to Scone.
"She's taking on the older horses again but she has handled them before and Peter knows her as he has ridden her in her work at Port Macquarie.
"It's a very suitable race for her."
