'When Ryan Moore's offered it’s hard to refuse' - fifth different jockey in five runs for Dancing Gemini in Lockinge

Roger Teal has secured the services of Ryan Moore for his stable star Dancing Gemini, who bids to land his first Group 1 in Saturday's BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

Moore, who had a fabulous time of things last week capped by winning the French 2,000 Guineas on Henri Matisse, will ride the son of Camelot for the first time at the Berkshire track and becomes the colt's fifth different jockey in his last five runs.

Dancing Gemini is two from two this season after following up Listed success in the Doncaster Mile with victory in the Group 2 bet365 Mile at Sandown last month, and he is a general 11-4 second favourite behind Rosallion.

Ryan Moore will ride Dancing Gemini for the first time in Saturday's Lockinge StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Moore will replace Rossa Ryan, who was aboard at Sandown, after a discussion between Teal and owner David Fish. Kieran Shoemark had the ride at Doncaster while Tom Marquand and Oisin Murphy partnered the four-year-old on his final two runs last season.

Teal said: "It was a very hard decision and it took days of conversation, but the owner came to that conclusion that when you have Ryan offered to you, it’s hard to refuse."

Dancing Gemini has completed his final major piece of preparation, and Teal added: "He’s doing well. He’s done all his work and we have to keep him fresh and healthy now. 

"It’s not going to be easy, but it never will be when you’re chasing a Group 1. We know what we’re taking on, but if he brings his A-game then he should run very well."

Tamfana '60-40 in favour of France over Lockinge'

Tamfana: won a Group 1 at Newmarket last season

Dancing Gemini is one of ten left in Saturday's Lockinge after Monday's forfeits, but 11-2 fourth favourite Tamfana, who finished behind Dancing Gemini at Sandown, is not certain to run.

Trainer David Menuisier has reservations about the quick ground at Newbury and could instead wait for the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp on Sunday week.

"She's not certain to go for the Lockinge," said Menuisier: "We keep having meetings and we need to decide soon because declarations for Newbury are on Thursday. We need to make up our minds.

"My only real question mark, and it’s not a concern as such, is about the going. She’s run on quick ground before, but possibly not as quick as what we’re encountering at the moment. 

"We need to find out where we’ll have the most suitable ground because Longchamp was absolutely rattling-fast at the weekend. They’re forecasting a heatwave next week and travelling in that heat, plus that ground, is tough. 

"I don’t know at the moment and it’s a hard one to call, but I'd say we're 60-40 in favour of France."

BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes (Newbury, Saturday)
BoyleSports: 6-4 Rosallion, 11-4 Dancing Gemini, 7-2 Notable Speech, 5 Tamfana, 14 Fallen Angel, 20 Lead Artist, 25 bar.

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