Every young trainer needs a good horse to get off the ground and Chris Bieg is hoping Dashitude is his ground-breaker.

Bieg, 28, only had a horse or two in work when he paid $5,500 for a Dash For Cash filly at the 2011 Adelaide Magic Millions before cutting her out among family and friends.

Dashitude (3f Dash For Cash – Royal Tango by Royal Academy) paid her way from the outset winning by more than five lengths in an early-season scamper at Morphettville.  And landing a long-priced plonk ($26 into $11) was the icing on the cake for her rookie trainer.

Resuming from a spell in February, she scored again at Morphettville prior to a hit-and-run win at Caulfield in March.  A Listed victory followed in the Dequetteville Stakes on the same day the Black Caviar bandwagon rolled into Adelaide.

“To win a stakes race on a day like that was a dream,” Bieg recalled.  “And having all the owners and friends of friends there for support was amazing.”

Dashitude didn’t grow as much as expected during a winter spell, however, she did mature mentally.  “She’s still on the small side,” Bieg explained.  “But she coped with all the extra work in the lead-up to this preparation.”

Dashitude is a pocket-rocket by Swettenham Stud sire Dash For Cash and she won first-up in a three horse field at Morphettville a fortnight ago.  Her moment of truth arrives this Friday night in the G3 TBV Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley.

Despite the likes of Snitzerland, Hoss Amor and Elite Elle in the field, Bieg isn’t overawed.  “She hit the line strongly first-up and that gives me a lot of confidence,” he said.  “We have a number of options for the spring carnival and will make plans after Friday night.”

Dashitude was bred by Marana Park owner Bob McKay and her dam Royal Tango delivered a Dash For Cash colt last September.  McKay booked her into him again this year.

Dash For Cash stands at Swettenham Stud for a $6,600 (inc gst) service fee.

– Karl Patterson

DASHITUDE
Moment of truth at Moonee Valley this Friday night