SYNDICATOR Darren Dance is hoping it is a case of fifth time lucky when international galloper Seismos lines up in Tuesday’s $6.5 million Melbourne Cup, 3200m.
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Dance, who operates Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock near Ballan, has had three top finishes – Unusual Suspect ninth in 2011, Jakkalberry third in 2012 and Dandino fifth last year.
Despite this run, Dance said he and his tight-knit group of owners were as determined as ever to continue chasing their Melbourne Cup dream with a horse he earmarked as a potential spring star back in April this year.
“Seismos profiled well as a potential Melbourne Cup runner when he was running back in the UK, but originally we were told he wasn’t for sale,” Dance said.
“He’d been on our potential buy list since for a long time and we had to work really hard with his owner and trainer to secure him. It took us a while, but thankfully we got our man.”
Seismos performed well at the highest level in Europe when prepared by German trainer Andreas Wohler.
The son of Dalakhani finished second to Novellist in the group 1 Von Barden, 2400m, and won the group 1 Von Bayern, 2400m, at Munich before being transferred to England-based trainer Marco Botti in August.
The seven-year-old continued his good form with a dominant victory in the group 3 Geoffrey Freer, 2700m, at Newbuery.
“For us it’s really all about the journey, that’s perhaps the most exciting part about Melbourne Cup week,” Dance said.
“From watching his fast work, the barrier draw, the street parade, the call of the card and then the big day. It’s all about the anticipation, the expectation and he drama that goes with it.”
