Watch Me Dance is the ‘full package’

Jockey Shaun McGruddy has high expectations of boom Albany two-year-old Watch Me Dance. Riding the Steve Wolfe-trained youngster in a race for the first time when she ran a narrow second in last Saturday’s Group 2 $500,000 Karrakatta Plate (1200m), McGruddy believes she can mature into the full package. He retains the mount on the classy filly for the Group 3 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) this Saturday and said she looks hard to beat. “She gave me a beautiful feel in the Karrakatta, to make up ground like she did is pretty special,” McGruddy said. “I had ridden her in work before and I knew then that she was a high-class animal. “Stepping up the 200m will suit us, her pattern is to settle back and get home strong. “She’s definitely is the one to beat. “It is a small field so from the barrier we could go forward but if I put her too close it might bring us undone so I’d think we’ll go back as that’s her pattern and it’s exciting seeing them get over the top late. “I was speaking to Steve the other day and said lots of two-year-olds don’t press on after the big races but I think she can come back and reach her full potential.” Watch Me Dance has drawn barrier 2 and will carry 55.5kg as she chases a third career win at her sixth start. “She is the one to beat but you never know in these races,” Wolfe said. “She comes in well against the other horses and they have a fair bit to turn around if they want to beat her,” Wolfe said. Wolfe is looking for his second Sires in three years after Lordhelpmerun won the race in 2018. Fellow Albany two-year-old Dark Assault has headed to the paddock after his third placing to Ima Single Man in the Karrakatta Plate. Trainer Roy Rogers said even though Dark Assault pulled up shin sore the plan was to always spell the colt.