SO NEAR AND YET SO FAR FOR STREET DANCER

By Graham Potter | Thursday, January 19, 2023

You could say the David Vandyke trained Street Dancer deserved better ... but, then again, sentiment is not a factor in performance or results.

The striking chestnut son of Pride Of Dubai came to the Magic Millions race-day at the Gold Coast on January 19 on the back of a runner-up finish (behind Irish Playboy) in the Magic Millions Shoot Out over 2020m at Doomben on December 31.

In that race Street Dancer hit the front at the 200m mark but failed to match Irish Playboy’s effort over the final 150m, nevertheless earning a highly creditable second placing which was her sixth second or third placed finish (along with four wins) in thirteen starts he had for the Vandyke stable up until that stage.

With that consistency, Vandyke was looking for a big reward for Street Dancer, who he had primed to race in the $1 million Subzero over 2200m.

The open nature of this contest was reflected in the betting with the Chris Waller trained favourite Bigboyroy still easy to back at $5.50. Street Dancer was quoted at $11.

Street Dancer’s regular pilot Michael Cahill tried to gradually brought his mount across from the number fourteen barrier draw the first time past the grandstands and, although still some three to four wide leaving the straight, Cahill had Street Dancer reasonably enough positioned in seventh spot five lengths off the lead in the early part.

At that stage, the $6 chance Sky Lab, who would play a major part in the finish, was all the way back in last place.

Street Dancer was held wide throughout the running but, by the time the Subzero field turned into the home straight, he was up into fourth place, now only two lengths off the lead ... this, in spite of being slightly inconvenienced at the 1000m mark when Zoumon ($6) shifted ground.

Street Dancer had a clear run down the straight, with glory beckoning, and he forged forward with meaning, again striking the front with 200m left to run, but this time he had pressure building either side of him.

Zoumon was there again, hard enough along Street Dancer’s inside to get an accidental crack on the head from Cahill’s whip ... but the bigger drama for Street Dancer’s quest for victory was to his outside where Sky Lab, who had also made good ground in the approach to the home turn, was now in full cry.

When Zoumon cried enough, it essentially came down to a two horse race between Street Dancer and Sky Lab and, try as he might, Street Dancer was not able to peg back Sky Lab’s challenge, going down by 0.30 lengths at the line.

It was a case of so near and yet so far for Street Dancer.

Some consolation ... the victory is always what you are there for ... was that Street Dancer took away $180 000 in second place prize-money which carried Street Dancer’s overall earnings total to $516 415.

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