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Danzylum on Victoria Handicap path

Friday 19 March 2010
By Robert Windmill

Improved galloper Danzylum is showing no sign of losing form as he heads towards next month's Group Three Victoria Handicap.

The six-year-old has established himself as a consistent stakes performer since launching his summer campaign in November and will have a lead-up to the Victoria Handicap (1400m) in Saturday's Listed Anniversary Vase (1400m) at Caulfield.

The winner of 10 of his 51 starts, he is a dual winner in 10 runs this preparation including an all-the-way victory over Time Matters and Berringama in the Listed Manifold Stakes (1410m) at Flemington in January.

Both Time Matters and Berringama are among Danzylum's main dangers on Saturday but trainer Robbie Griffiths has no reason to think that he won't again beat them.

"He's been up a long time but he's showing no signs of getting tired," Griffiths said.

He said the only hiccup in Danzylum's campaign was two starts ago when he strained a muscle in his rump when he jumped awkwardly from the barriers and finished last of six in the Carlyon Cup (1400m) at Caulfield on February 20.

However last start he confirmed his recovery with a three-quarter length second to Captain Coltish in the Listed Schweppes Trophy (1400m) at Flemington.

"He was fantastic last time and I reckon if the track had been drier he would have won," Griffiths said.

Sandwiched between his Manifold win and his last two runs Danzylum finished a long neck second to Kilmore Cup winner Joku in the Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in January and a competitive fourth to Typhoon Tracy in last month's Group One Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

His recent performances make the Victoria Handicap at Caulfield on April 3 a logical target for Danzylum, especially given his record over 1400 metres.

He has won five races at the distance and at Caulfield has a win and five placings from nine attempts.

"He won there in December and hopefully he can add to that record before the end of his campaign," Griffiths said.

"You wouldn't hold it against him if he turned around and lost form but he raced in his customary (frontrunning) style last start and he has worked well since.

"Unless he tells us he needs his rest we will keep going but hopefully he will get to the Victoria Handicap."

Significantly four of the last six Victoria Handicap winners came through the Anniversary Vase.

Time Matters is a specialist at the distance with six wins from 10 starts over 1400 metres and heads TAB Sportsbet's market at $4.40 on Saturday ahead of Danzylum at $5.

Gran Sasso has been placed two of his three starts at 1400 metres without a win but is given a good chance to break through at $5.50.

Berringama, who won over 1400 metres at Caulfield last start, is also at $5.50.