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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Danielle Seib is banking on some race fitness and wet track experience to give Dekadance an advantage as she seeks a hat-trick in Saturday’s TAB Highway (1100m) at Randwick.

Trainer Danielle Seib (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The lightly raced mare is one of three acceptors for the Goulburn trainer in the Highway but the only likely runner of the trio with less testing options ahead for the other duo, Xcessive Force and Ghost Walker, who would be first-up.

Dekadance will drop 4.5kg for her Highway debut, after Anna Roper’s claim, on her last start win at Corowa four weeks ago.

“We’re third-up, we’re very fit, and she’s not an overly big filly which I think sometimes is to their advantage on heavy surfaces,’’ Seib said.

“She’s going to carry no weight and she’s just very genuine, I think that’s her biggest attribute. I think she will get through it as good as most.”

The four-year-old made her debut on a heavy track at Wagga in July last year and ran third but after two more placings she required an extended break.

Seib, who has won seven TAB Highway races so far, said it’s been a blessing in disguise as the almost 11 months away from racing allowed her the time to develop and the proof of it is in her form with her comfortable wins at Narrandera and Corowa in July.

“It’s the logical next step for her,’’ she said.

“She needed a little bit of time, had a couple of little issues, and the owners have been very patient.

“She had a couple of rehab preps and it’s nice to see her return so forward and a bit more mature and very polished.”

Given the heavy conditions, Seib said it’s most likely Dekadance will look to put herself up on the speed though she’s confident the horse isn’t a one trick pony.

“We have ridden her quiet on one occasion, her last run last preparation and that was behind Highway Strip and Ghost Walker,’’ she said.

“So far she’s drawn suitable gates and on tracks where it’s been advantageous to be in front and on the rail and she does everything well to get herself there.”

Ghost Walker will likely have a second barrier trial at Canberra on Friday and be saved for a 1400m Highway at Rosehill next week as Seib feels the heavy ground doesn’t suit him first-up.

There’s a chance promising mare Xcessive Force could resume on Sunday’s Goulburn Cup program but Seib said she’s another she’d prefer not to strike a heavy track with at this stage of the preparation.

Xcessive Force, whose only defeat was at the hands of Australian Oaks runner-up Sun ‘N’ Sand, will be set for next year’s Country Championships.

“She’s a very classy mare, she’s a good size and shape and has a lot of upside,’’ Seib said.

“What she’s done so far has been on raw ability. When she gets up in grade she’s going to be more adaptable in her racing style and that will allow her to get over further.

Dekadance wins at Corowa on July 24

“She’s come back a lot more mature, she’s one of the nicest horses in the stable.

“We could hold her back and look at a Class 3 Highway in a fortnight or look at a midweek option for her.”

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