Chris Waller’s super consistent mare Red Tracer ran the perfect lead-up to the season’s final Group 1 setting herself up for the $400,000 Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) in two weeks’ time with her tight 2013 Dane Ripper Stakes victory on Stradbroke Handicap Day.

Red Tracer (outside) is on track for the 2013 Tattersall's Tiara after another Dane Ripper Win. Photo: Daniel Costello.

The multiple Group 1 performing daughter of Dane Shadow is, according to her trainer, a genuine Group 1 horse and it is only a matter of time before she breaks through at elite level.

“If ever there’s been a Group 1 horse that hasn’t won one she’s it for me,” Waller said after today’s win.

“In my heart she’s a Group 1 horse…she’s been down by the barest of margins.”

She came devastatingly close twice just this last autumn when second to Appearance by a mere nose and then half a length respectively in the Coolmore Classic and Queen Of The Turf Stakes.

Before today’s $200,000 Group 2 Patinack Farm Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m) Red Tracer hadn’t raced since her disappointing 15^th in the Doncaster Mile at Randwick where she was tipped to relish the mud track.

Thriving after a freshen-up and stepping right back in class however she was too strong for her rivals in the end and won her second consecutive Dane Ripper Stakes, Red Tracer having also won the classic 12 months ago.

On the back of her Dane Ripper victory last Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival Red Tracer ran fourth to Pear Tart when beaten only half a length in the Tattersall’s Tiara and looks like the one to beat in the females-only feature on June 22 this year according to jockey Nash Rawiller.

“Unbelievable, She’s a tough little critter,” Rawiller said.

“She won this race last year…and she’s just a model of consistency.

“If we get a bit of rain before the Gorup 1 in two weeks’ time she’ll be the one to beat.”

It was a sweet ride by Rawiller, who last partnered with Red Tracer to win the Group 3 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) back in early March, in the Dane Ripper today as the hoop got her to settle just off the speed in third behind the likes of Arctic Flight and Steps In Time.

Red Tracer was tracking third on the outside of Babel, who was fourth on the rails, getting a beautiful run off the back of some decent speed and swooped up through the middle of the top chances once they were all fighting it out in the closing stages down the Eagle Farm straight.

Just when it looked like Red Tracer had the Dane Ripper results put away a brave Arctic Flight came again for her.

But the eventual winner hung on and was just abel to beat home the Peter Moody-trained runner-up Floria, coming off a fourth in the Scone Cup, with Anthony Cummings’ Dark Jewel Classic winner Arctic Flight eventually awarded third place.

“She found enough,” Rawiller said.

“She wanted to win.”

Waller is now hoping the Tattersall’s Tiara will be Red Tracer’s time to shine at the top level but is confident if the Group 1 doesn’t come this season it will next.

“She’ll get her turn, if it’s not in two weeks’ time I’m sure it will be next year,” he said.

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2013 Dane Ripper Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Eagle Farm Race 5 – 08/06/2013