West Australian stud Touchstone Farm kicked a goal when former NZ and NSW based sire Danasinga transferred to its North Dandalup base earlier this year.

Danasinga was a G1 winner of the 1996 Stradbroke Hcp and, at stud, sired G1 winner Metal Bender who has won 8 races and over $1.50 million.  His G1 tally includes the 2009 Randwick and Rosehill Guineas in 2009 and 2010 Doomben Cup.  It can increase again this coming Saturday when the gelding runs in the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield.

Danasinga can add another G1 to his record if and when Crabs runs in the Metropolitan Handicap at Randwick next month.  He earned a trip north after winning the Environmental Services Handicap (2500m) at Moonee Valley last Saturday.

Despite being caught three wide for a majority of the trip, Crabs was aided by Jack Hill’s 3kg claim and drew clear from his rivals in the straight to score by just under a length.  “He makes me look good,” trainer Chris Hyland said on Saturday.  “He’s no Group 1 horse but you just have to admire those sorts of horses that have a crack.  He’s just a superstar horse for us.”

Crabs (7g Danasinga – Lady Chanele by Citidancer) has been floated up the Hume Highway in time for the G3 Newcastle Cup (2300m) this Thursday.  “We will make a decision on the Metropolitan after the Newcastle Cup,” Hyland said.  “Having a crack at a Group 1 might be a bit of a pipedream, but we’ll wait and see and discussed it with the owners.”

Crabs was originally purchased by agent John Foote for $22,000 at the 2005 NZ Bloodstock Select yearling sale at Karaka.  He was culled as an unraced 2YO in March 2007 and Hyland picked him up for a paltry $2,600.  The gelding has now earned over $315,000 from 10 wins and 15 placings in 50 starts.

Crabs hails from a long line of quality stayers.  He is a younger half-brother to Ombre Rose (O’Reilly) who won 7 races up to 2000m including three stakes races at Riccarton.   Their dam dam Lady Chanele is a winning half sister to G2 Moonee Valley Cup winner the Sportsman (Kilimanjaro) and G2 VATC Herbert Power Stakes winner Aquidity (Avaray).

Danasinga (Danehill) stands at Touchstone Farm alongside Shrewd Rhythm (Danehill Dancer), Flying Pegasus (Fusaichi Pegasus) and Vital Equine (Danetime).