Written by Robert Edwards
Watch Me Dance (I’m All The Talk) left no doubt she is the best 3 year-old in the State, when she emulated multiple Group 1 winner Arcadia Queen (Pierro) to brilliantly add Saturday’s WA Guineas to her triumph in last week’s WA Champion Fillies' S.
Arcadia Queen won the prestigious double two years ago, before claiming her first Group 1 in the Kingston Town Classic against the older horses a fortnight later.
Jockey Shaun McGruddy made full advantage of Watch Me Dance’s number one gate to have her cruising on the rail stalking the leader Em Tee Aye (I’m All The Talk).
Jockey Jarrad Noske gave a heady front-running ride to have Em Tee Aye coasting along in the lead.
Noske skipped away to a 2l break on straightening, but punters could see the edge might not be enough to hold out Watch Me Dance, who was winding up for her customary powerhouse finish.
Em Tee Aye refused to surrender the lead and the pair locked down for a duel inside the final 100 metres, before Watch Me Dance edged ahead to win by a neck on the line.
Dom To Shoot (Shooting To Win) came home with a strong burst to finished 0.5l behind in third place, with Western Empire (Iffraaj {GB}), the first emergency, being the other eye-catcher dashing home into fourth place from 15th position on the turn.
For long-time trainer and jockey combination Steve Wolfe and Shaun McGruddy it was their biggest win in an association that has stretched out to almost two decades.
Watch Me Dance caught Wolfe’s eye at the 2018 Magic Millions Perth Sale.
Wolfe took the risk of paying $34,000 for the filly, who was by first season sire I’m All The Talk. He paid a considerable sum of $34,000 and the first foal of of Coventry To Rio (Oratorio).
Breeder Jan Williamson kept a share in the filly and Wolfe syndicated the other shares to his wife Maureen and to the wives and daughters of loyal stable clients and to a handful of first-time owners.
Watch Me Dance as a yearling
Never had so much fun
“They (owners) have never had so much fun,” Wolfe said.
“Some of them had never been interested in racing but they certainly are having a great time. These women followed their husbands or parents and others it is their first time and they are having a ball.
“Some of them had never been interested in racing but they certainly are having a great time." - Steve Wolfe
“We were behind the eight-ball with her but we were given permission to use the Albany racetrack, which has helped a lot.
“We knew though we had her right for this race. I said to Shaun on Wednesday 'I think this filly is too well!'
“That was how well she was doing after winning on a Heavy 8 at Ascot only four days earlier. She is an exceptionally tough filly. To win this race with Shaun is very special too.”
McGruddy has ridden throughout her 11-start career, including her luckless second in the G2 Karrakatta Plate win in the G3 WA Sires' Produce S. at 2-years-old and in the Champion Fillies and WA Guineas.
“Barriers helped having drawn four in the Champion Fillies and one here,” McGruddy said.
“This is a race I have ran a lot of places in and it is good to get the monkey off my back. I knew I had a tough filly so I was not too worried about backing her up."
Hear Me Sing as a yearling
Wolfe returned to the Magic Millions Perth sale last February to buy Watch Me Dance’s full brother, named Hear Me Sing.
He was spelled after an encouraging debut second over 1100 metres at Ascot on November 7, to be reserved for next February’s $250,000 Magic Millions Classic at Pinjarra.
