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By Ray Hickson

November 4 has been pencilled into the calendar for stablemates Grebeni and Green Shadows by trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou.

Trainer Sterling Alexiou (Pic: Bradley Photos).

Whether it’s just Grebeni or if both contest the Listed $200,000 Racing For Good Civic Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday the long term focus is the $750,000 Little Dance in the spring.

The duo are already eligible with Grebeni’s second in the Muswellbrook Cup and third in the Scone Cup while Green Shadows ticked his box with a second in the Tamworth Cup.

Alexiou said the Little Dance looks ideal for both horses but that’s not ruling out another chance at forcing into the $3 million Big Dance field in the lead up.

Grebeni has pleased the stable with his form without winning, he’s been placed in four of his five runs, and after his second behind Loch Eagle two weeks ago Alexiou hopes it’s his turn as his last win was back in December 2023.

“He’s racing really consistently at the moment,’’ Alexiou said.

“The plan was to go to Eagle Farm next Saturday in the Tatt’s Mile but this was on his doorstep and it looked a good option.

“We’ll probably look to give him a freshen, he’s Big Dance/Little Dance eligible so we’ll get him ready for a couple of races en route to that day.”

The winners of Big Dance eligible races go to the top of the ballot which means both Grebeni and Green Shadows, as runners up in their events, aren't guaranteed a start in that race as yet.

The drop from the mile isn’t of any concern to Alexiou who said Grebeni, $13 with TAB on Thursday, is in his wheelhouse at distances from 1400m to 1800m and most importantly has a drying track and favourable draw.

“I’m sure he’ll acquit himself well and back onto a drying surface will suit him better,’’ he said.

“He probably just got beaten by a very good wet tracker the other day that had the drop on him late.

“He’s quite adaptable in terms of his distances so if he can find a nice place from the good draw there does look above average tempo in the race and he’ll be very strong late.”

Dylan Gibbons is currently booked to ride Grebeni but if fifth emergency Raikkonen happens to gain a start Ryan and Alexiou will need a new rider.

Green Shadows has made his way into the Civic field and Alexiou said it was good to see him back up his Tamworth Cup effort with a close second behind Headley Grange coming back to 1300m.

There is a Benchmark 88 option over 1500m for the gelding next week and that will be given consideration as he’s drawn wide on Saturday but if he’s there Alexiou expects him to run well.

“He’s racing in a great vein of form as well and I think he bumped into quite a sharp, handy, horse of Joe’s the other day who had a better turn of foot than us,’’ he said.

“He’s still improving, he’s no star, but racing consistently and if things went right for him I wouldn’t imagine he’d be too far away.

Grebeni runs second at Randwick on June 7

“If he runs well at his next start we’d look at a race like the South Grafton Cup, I’d like to get another win and get him some confidence.”

The South Grafton Cup (1600m), run on July 13, is a Big Dance eligible race.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting