March 24, 2001 Dandify Capitalises on Change of Luck Top jockey Brett Prebble is looking forward to sticking with impeccably bred filly Dandify in the AJC Australian Oaks after she successfully completed her main Melbourne mission with a comprehensive victory in today's Group Two $500,000 Lone Star Oaks (2040m) at Moonee Valley. The daughter of Danehill and Caulfield Cup winner Mannerism hadn't had a lot of luck in her previous three Melbourne assignments but more than made up for it today. Sent out equal second favorite, Dandify raced in second spot throughout, trailing the favorite St. Therese. However she exploded clear of her rivals coming to the home turn and the race was all over with Dandify going on to score by six lengths from the other equal second pick Tanith, with VRC Oaks winner Lovelorn a short half-head away third. ''She's had some bad luck, but thank God she won today as I like to keep Mr Denham (trainer Jack) happy,'' Prebble said. ''She's had some horror draws in slowly-run races but today we were able to make our own luck. ''It was a very good win, better than Hill Of Grace last year, and hopefully we'll have some success in Sydney.'' Prebble made it back-to-back wins in the Lone Star Oaks, having ridden the Robert Priscott-trained Hill Of Grace to victory in the race last year and then going on to win the Ansett Australia Stakes at Rosehill. Allan Denham, standing in for his father Jack, said the $350,000 Ansett Australia Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on April 7 was an ideal lead-up race for Dandify before she goes into the $700,000 AJC Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on April 21. Denham said the Lone Star Oaks had been Dandify's main mission in Melbourne. ''These races aren't easy to win but she went great today,'' he said ''She travelled well and when the others were niggling she was going pretty sweet.'' The victory was yet another big race win for prominent New South Wales owner-breeders Geoff and Beryl White. White recalled that he was in Queensland and rang his wife one day and she told him she had bought Dandify's dam Mannerism. ''I asked her how much and she said $600,000, I wished I hadn't rung,'' he said. However Dandify from 15 race starts has now won five times and been placed on five other occasions and more than doubled her stake earnings today to $645,145. As well as that she's worth plenty as a broodmare. The Whites have had a good season at Moonee Valley having also won the Moonee Valley Cup with Yippyio who went on to finish runner-up-rup to Brew in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington. There were no excuses for the beaten brigade such was the ease of Dandify's win, apart from the slow going which did not suit Ponton Flyer who failed to beat a runner home. AAP TURF

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