Lockinge on Dancing Gemini radar if ground is right

Roger Teal is keeping a close eye on the weather, with a dry forecast likely to mean a crack at the Boylesports Lockinge Stakes for his leading miler Dancing Gemini.

The son of Camelot impressed when following up his early-season Doncaster win in style in Sandown’s bet365 Mile, with ground conditions now set to dictate if Teal’s stable star heads to Newbury on May 17 or ventures to ParisLongchamp a week later for the Prix d’Ispahan (May 25).

“There’s only a week between the Lockinge and the Prix d’Ispahan so there’s no firm decision just yet, but if the weather stays nice, then we’ll probably take our chance in the Lockinge,” said Teal.

“If it gets wet, we’d probably sit tight and wait for France, it’ll just depend on the forecast.

“We won’t make the same mistakes as last year, when we kept pitching him in on soft ground – he does act on the softer side, but I think he is a better horse with a bit of life in the ground.”

Dancing Gemini has put down a significant early marker in the mile division, as he follows in the footsteps of Roger Varian’s Charyn, who won the same races on Town Moor and in Esher before marching on to Group One glory last summer.

And Teal sees no reason to deviate from the tried and tested, as he reflected on an imperious Sandown victory over what appeared a red-hot cast of rivals.

“He was very impressive at Doncaster, but that was equally impressive at Sandown given the fierce company he was in – and it was just lovely to watch the way he did it and we just hope he can continue now,” said Teal.

“The mile programme and following the ‘Charyn route’ has worked so far and he’s two from two. Obviously Charyn was second in the Lockinge last year, but it would be nice if we go, if we could go one better.

“I think he’s shown and now proven his ability over a mile and if it’s not broken, we’ll not try to fix it.”