Oliver Dances Toward New Zealand Cup
- Tuesday, 03 September 2002 00:00
Victory in Saturday’s listed race took to 25 the number of wins registered by Dance Floor progeny bred by Luoni.
"From the first time I saw Dance Floor, he struck me as something extra," Luoni recalled after his big weekend. "He was a very energetic horse and one hell of a racehorse too."
Oliverdance (NZ) is the second black-type winner Luoni has bred by Dance Floor. The first was the good sprinter Ma Danseuse (NZ), who won 10 races all told, while Ask the Dancer (NZ) has contributed seven wins, one less than Oliverdance’s tally.
Unfortunately Luoni’s enthusiasm for Dance Floor was not sufficient to retain the horse in New Zealand, and he was repatriated to the United States in 1999 after standing six seasons here.
Oliverdance, who Luoni races in partnership with his father George, co-breeder David Johns and trainer John Wheeler, sealed plans with his Whakatane Cup win to be aimed at the New Zealand Cup in November.
But before that, he will be treated to some rest and relaxation at Luoni’s Te Kowhai property for the next fortnight before rejoining Wheeler’s New Plymouth stable. His paddock mate during the brief sojourn is Cox Plate winner The Phantom Chance (NZ) (Noble Bijou), who these days is Luoni’s farm hack.
"They get on like a house on fire," said Luoni. "When I fed them tonight (Sunday), by the time I left the paddock they were eating from the same bin."
Media Release - NZTM