SYMON Wilde will have a clearer indication which spring path he heads down with New Zealand-bred stayer Vin De Dance after the six-year-old runs in a $135,000 open handicap at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
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Vin De Dance makes his debut for Wilde in a 2040-metre race following 23 starts for top Kiwi trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.
The Warrnambool-based trainer said the OTI syndicated horse had settled in well to his new environment.
"I think Vin De Dance is enjoying the sea-change," Wilde said.
"He's really settled well down at the beach. We've done a lot of work with him so he's got a good fitness base but I think he'll need the match practice of having a run or two before he really gets to his top.
"He's had three trials and gone well on each occasion. We'll just see how he goes but we may look at some of the nice country cups in the spring for Vin De Dance.
"I'm hoping he'll measure up to that class."
Top Western Australian jockey William Pike has been booked to ride Vin De Dance.
Vin De Dance is not the only horse that OTI boss Terry Henderson will be watching closely at Moonee Valley.
OTI also owns the highly-rated Harbour Views who lines up in the $250,000 group two Feehan Stakes for Warrnambool trainer Matthew Williams.
A win in the Feehan would secure Harbour Views' spot in the Cox Plate on October 24. John Allen has the ride in the Feehan Stakes.
Leading Warrnambool trainer Lindsey Smith has three runners at the Valley.
He saddles up The King, Achernar Star and Rivet Delight while the training combination of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have numerous starters on the nine-race program. How Womantic and Junipal look to be the best hopes for success.
