Celtic Dancer finished a wet Oaks Day off in convincing style claiming the final race, the $175,000 Group 2 Brisbane Racing Carnival QTC Cup 1300m by one and a quarter lengths from Belltone.

Jumping from barrier one, the four-year-old gelding had a great start as Timothy Bell got him straight to the front and held the position the entire race. The other contenders tried as they hit the straight but Celtic Dancer kept grinding away to hold pole position.

Looking strong in the straight, Belltone (Chris Munce) challenged for the lead however settled to take second, with Michael Hellyer on Joint Chiefs a further two and a half lengths behind in third.

Trained on the Gold Coast by Noel Doyle, Celtic Dancer (Choisir-Little Wonder Why) has been in fine form of late, recently taking out the Listed Prime Ministers Cup on May 5.

“He is flying at the moment, he’s just come up really well,” Doyle said.

“He has always shown a lot of ability but last preparation he just wasn’t himself, so I tipped him out, he had a good spell and now he is back and flying.

“I think the heavy track was a big help to him. He is effective on a dry track but I think the wet track slows up the other horses and that’s the big help.”

Doyle thought Belltone was looking so good going into the race that he shouted Kelso Wood a red wine before the race.

“When he turned around after the race and saw I was jumping up and down, he came over and said, ‘Does that do you, you so and so’.

“We’re great mates, he is a gracious loser.”

Doyle is targeting Celtic Dancer at the Stradbroke next week however isn’t overly confident of his chances getting him in.

“I would love to think I could get him into the Stradbroke with the way the weather is about but I don’t think we will make it,” Doyle said. “So I think we will go to the Eye Liner now.”

Bell, who won his first Group race last week in the Channel Seven Premier’s Cup, couldn’t sing higher praises of the galloper.

“He is fantastic, he dug really deep when he needed to,” Bell said.

Bell saluted with his whip before the post and incurred a $200 fine from stewards.

“Look it’s been an outstanding week for me, I won my first Group race last week and to win a Group 2 on Oaks Day is fantastic,” he said. “My dreams are starting to come true.”

Bell’s parents were not present for his first Group win on Fantastic Blue last week however were there on Saturday for Celtic Dancer’s win.

“Mum and Dad follow me around everywhere and for them to miss last week was pretty heartbreaking but I’m glad that they were here to see me win my first Group 2.”

When asked about Celtic Dancer’s chances in the Stradbroke, Bell replied, “With all this rain about, I think he is going to be a long way chance. I would probably rate him as a great galloper and because of how tough he is.

“I reckon he is going to fight one of those races out really strongly.”

Celtic Dancer has now had 26 starts for seven wins earning connections $494,850 in prizemoney and bonuses.

RACING Queensland web news: Elaine Dittman – June 4
Photo by Noel Pascoe