Twin Sister Trainers Head Down Highway
The Goulburn training team of identical twin sisters Emma and Lucy Longmire are hoping their recent winning run continues at Rosehill with Designer Dance on Saturday.
Since Christmas Eve they have had three winners from nine starters and Designer Dance will be in action for them in the Class Three Highway Handicap over 1500 metres on Saturday.
The twins race under the banner of Twinstar Racing and have around 30 horses in their team with Designer Dancer one of their most promising horses.
At her last start, the Master Of Design mare finished a close-up second in a Highway Handicap at Randwick on December 19.
The six-year-old has been lightly raced and proven to be a consistent galloper with two wins and eight placings from just 16 starts.
Robbie Dolan who rode her last start is back in the saddle and she will start from barrier two.
“It’s great to have Robbie back on board and we’re very happy with that barrier draw,” Emma Longmire said.
“He probably can’t really take full advantage of that barrier but it should mean he can get into a position without doing too much work.”
It will be the first time the mare steps up to 1500 metres, but Longmire believes her racing pattern will be suited by the extra distance.
“She’s such a relaxed mare in the run and just switches off,” Longmire said.
“It’s her first time over more than 1400 metres but she has a really good turn of foot and we’re confident she will run out the trip.”
Running a stable requires many hands-on deck and the Longmires are grateful to have the services of New South Wales race caller Mitch Manners who helps out with some of the stable administration.
Manners, who is also in the ownership of Designer Dance, has been an invaluable addition to the boutique stable as they look to get on top of the day to day grind of training horses.
“Mitch has been great, he helps with the race programming and also all the jockey bookings,” Longmire said.
“Training is so constant all the time and there’s so many things that you’ve got on your mind.
“If there are a couple of less things you have to worry about then it’s a big help.”