Brand hopes for Southland Oaks win

The Southland Oaks Final is a race Ashburton owner Paul Brand would love to win.

Since his filly Luvyulindylu won a heat and ran third in the final in 1998 the dairy farmer has had an ambition to win the group two feature. He and West Melton horseman Michael House, who trained Luvyulindylu, are pinning their hopes on Royal Cee Cee for this year's final at Ascot Park on May 1.

Royal Cee Cee won a heat in track record time of 1min 55.6sec (one mile) at Wyndham on Sunday.

"She's a pretty good horse, got lots of talent," House said.

"When she gets into rhythm, she's electric. She's got the Cullen X-factor."

Sunday was her third start. She won first up at Timaru on December 17, but struck the mobile and gallop when 11th at Ashburton nine days later.

Royal Cee Cee won at the Ashburton trials and Rangiora workouts in the build up to Sunday's win. The Great Northern Oaks at Alexandra Park on March 5 is under consideration for Royal Cee Cee, whose dam, Royal Van (unqualified), is a sister to Luvyulindylu.

Forbury Park trainer Kerry Dance gained his biggest win when The Moth won the $12,000 Southern Belle Speed Series Heat. Dance helped Ocean View trainer Ken Robertson with a small team before applying for a trainer's licence eight years ago.

Spry Wood, Perfect Trust and Neutron Bomb were winners Robertson and Dance raced together.

Dance leased The Moth off Neville Humphries, of Balclutha, seven months ago. The Moth had earlier won twice in the North Island.

"I never put her in the cart. She's jogged off the jogger or lead," Dance said.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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