Lindsay Park’s improving sprinter Churchill Dancer continued his winning run with a narrow victory in the Group 2 $200,000 Bobby Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington today.

Churchill Dancer, green and blue colours, scores a narrow win in the Bobby Lewis Quality at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Churchill Dancer ($8) made it back to back wins following his last win in restricted grade over 1200m at Moonee Valley on August 22 and proved today that he is up with the best by beating Group 1 placegetter Under The Louvre ($9) by a long head.

Stablemate of the winner Gregers ($10) looked like she had the Bobby Lewis Quality sewed up when she dashed to the front inside the final 100m but couldn’t hold out the first two placegetters to finish a head away in third spot.

Winning trainer David Hayes had no hesitation in putting on promising apprentice Michael Dee in the non-claiming race after regular rider Michael Walker couldn’t get down to the 53kg.

“I have admired him from afar and I had no hesitation in putting him on and it was a really good ride,” Hayes said.

Hayes, who trains in partnership with Tom Dabernig, said that he would likely keep Churchill Dancer to races down the Flemington straight for the remainder of the Spring Carnival.

“He is a very good straight horse so I think we will put him on the straight horse circuit. On Derby Day there is that lovely race,” Hayes said.

The Group 2 $200,000 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) on October 4 and the Group 2 $300,000 Linlithgow Stakes (1200m) on October 31 are both run down the Flemington straight.

The $4.40 favourite Rich Enuff raced in the first three and four in the early stages but looked in trouble at the 400m before getting beaten one and three quarter lengths to finish in sixth spot.

Bobby Lewis Quality results