A day is a long time in the world or racehorse ownership.
So much can and often does change, sometimes hour by hour.
Future race plans unbeaten 3yo gelding YAO DASH (Smart Missile x Rahy Storm (USA) by Rahy) had never been locked-in.
YAO DASH in full flight defeating Funstar
We are now seriously considering YAO DASH as a genuine Gr1 Golden Rose candidate
Debut Race Record Win at Canterbury
Race Record win at Randwick
YAO DASH is brilliant on top of the ground, as has been displayed in both his race starts however it’s his displayed ability on heavy ground that has connections giving serious consideration to running the $1m event.
Originally connections were considering possibly by-passing the Golden Rose, with the view of having his next start in the Stan Fox Stakes Gr2 1500m on 12/10 and then onto the $1m Bondi Stakes 1600m on 26/10.
Then a couple of weeks in the paddock before returning to aim at the $2m Magic Millions 3yo 1400m on 11/1/20.
However, now connections are considering running in the $1m Golden Rose then heading to the paddock to give him a few extra weeks off before returning to aim at the Magic Millions 3yo race.
With YAO DASH a gelding, we were aware the best 3yo colts and fillies will be aiming for Gr1 status for their breeding barn resumes, with colts looking for stallion potential and fillies looking to become highly commercial.
With YAO DASH being a gelding, there is no ongoing value past racetrack retirement. It’s just about prizemoney.
So why put YAO DASH under pressure in the Gr1 Golden Rose when other options were available?
YAO DASH worked brilliantly on Tuesday morning 17/9 with leading jockey Tim Clark asked to test YAO DASH.
It was this work that has connections even more excited.
Tim had ridden YAO DASH before his brilliant last start Randwick win and reported that he had improved since that run.
There is one negative with heading towards the Golden Rose which is that our late change of plans, it means that we will be looking for a new jockey for the race, as Nash Rawiller believing YAO DASH was most likely to sidestep the Golden Rose, last week had committed to ride the Coolmore Stud owned YES YES YES.
Business is Business and we totally respect the position we have placed Nash in and wish him well with his chosen mount in the race.
What it does is open up a genuine opportunity for another top class jockey to link up with YAO DASH and as the rumour mill began to gather momentum on Tuesday morning, there has been no shortage of inquiry from leading jockeys and their managers.
Whilst a day is a long time in our industry and it all depends upon how YAO DASH continues handling the pressure in what is his first racing preparation, a final decision on a jockey and whether we accept with YAO DASH in the Golden Rose will be delayed until after his final trackwork gallop on Tuesday morning 24/9 leading into the race.
It is now more likely than not, YAO DASH would be accepted into the Golden Rose.
YAO DASH is currently on the fourth line of betting in the Golden Rose as a 10/1 chance.
Current TAB Fixed Market states: $3.50 Bivouac, Exceedence, $4.50 Yes Yes Yes,
$8.00 Kubric, $11 YAO DASH, Castlevecchio,
$26 and longer the rest
YAO DASH from Dynamic Syndications on Vimeo.
Above: Scenes from his Randwick Win
Can YAO DASH come up smelling like Roses?
Winning YAO DASH Owners
His Dynamic Owners believe he can and are “Living The Dream”
YAO DASH Owners in the Winner's Room