Zofonic Dancer now a Derby horse

Zofonic Dancer has won at Doomben, completing a mission to earn enough prize money to run in next year’s Queensland Derby.

The stoutly bred gelding ($7) made it four wins from five starts when he wore down Boom Boom Epic ($2.60) to win the three-year-old handicap (1600m) on Saturday.

Trainer Robert Heathcote has had a long-range plan for Zofonic Dancer, who is by noted staying sire Zoffany since buying him as a yearling.

“He is my Queensland Derby horse and the win today gives him enough money to make the field, taking the pressure off us,” Heathcote said.

“Zofonic Dancer can go for a spell now with the job well done. Not many horses win four of their first five starters.”

Heathcote said Zofonic Dancer had been not suited by 1350m when beaten at his previous start.

“There were no suitable races for him so I had to ease him for six weeks and then go to 1350 metres. The 1600 metres suits him far better as will the 2200 metres or 2400 metres of the Queensland Derby, depending where it is run,” he said.