Danceteria winning the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis (Image: German Racing)
England-based French trainer David Menuisier was happy to report he was 'feeling great' after his Cox Plate contender Danceteria went through his paces on Wednesday just three days out from the race.
"When he feels great, I feel great," Menuisier told the media after the light workout at Spendthrift Australia Park at Werribee.
"I am delighted with him. He's absolutely glowing when the sun is out. We've had a few cold nights and cold days over the last fortnight, so it's good to see a bit of sunshine."
Danceteria, a last-start Group 1 winner in Germany, is one of several internationals with claims of taking the 2019 Cox Plate, but while confident he can, Menuisier admitted there are some unknowns such as the make-up of The Valley track.
"Walking the course, I think the track will suit but until you try it, you don't know," he added.
"It's a quirky track so until you run you can't sign with your blood that it will be fine, but I think he's a well-balanced horse so I don't think the track will be a problem because it is flat, which is the most important point.
"I think that because of the cambers, he can come wide and have a clean run on the outside.
"He does handle any ground, quick or slow, but I think he's probably at his best when the ground is quick.
"He's always been slow away - he's always been like that. He can creep into the race - he's got a very long stride - so he can adapt to pretty much any speed and he's got a good turn of foot."
The trainer said he hadn't spent too much time on the other horses in the Cox Plate.
"I am trying to focus on my horses more than the opposition," he said. "It's very hard to gauge the form for horses from abroad. We've experienced that a few times. We've run abroad a few times in Japan and Canada, so I think the main thing is to make sure the horse is spot on and take it from there.
"I think we'll leave that to Jamie (Spencer). As far as I am concerned, I have done my job so if anything goes wrong, it's all on the jockey," Menuisier laughed.
"Jamie knows him really well so he's going to play it by ear. He knows the horse by heart. I am not going to tie him to instructions.
"As I've said he's always slow away so that's why I was quite happy with the draw (10) - not being drawn on the rail. It gives him options.
"I think he'll take a slow start and creep into the race. If they go slow it will be for Jamie to assess the situation at the time and take the right decision, which I am sure he will."
Menuisier also expects a bold showing from stablemate Chief Ironside, who made his way into Saturday's G2 Crystal Mile following his luckless run in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield.