Any concerns the Te Rapa trainer had with the state of the track proved
groundless with his four-year-old romping to victory in the Gr.3 Eagle
Technology Stakes."It takes a top-liner to win a Group race when conditions are against them," Greene said. "She's one out of the box, a super horse.
"I was definitely worried, but toughness can take you a long way and it was a top effort."
Stolen Dance, who completed a stellar day for her sire Alamosa following Alamer's upset win in the Listed Trevor Eagle Memorial, has improved with each of her outings this term.
She was narrowly beaten by Consensus, who has since won the Gr.3 Sofitel Luxury Hotels Stakes, when resuming at Ruakaka and then made a winning open class handicap debut at Te Rapa.
Stolen Dance took the rise to black type company in her stride at Ellerslie with rider Danielle Johnson reverting to Plan B to make the running.
"I was looking to sit outside the leader, but nothing wanted to go," she said. "I slowed them up across the top and with 53kg on our back I got a break on them and she kicked on really well."
Stolen Dance was clear with 400 metres to run and she held a strong gallop to beat Rasa Lila by a length and a quarter with Silverdale third ahead of Queens Rose and Sakhee's Soldier.
"She is going to keep improving and progressing," Johnson said.
Future plans for Stolen Dance could now include a return to Ellerslie for a crack at the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic on Boxing Day. – NZ Racing Desk.
