OOZING class, Flirting Dancer yesterday stamped himself as one of next season's Derby contenders when he ran out a cosy winner of the $1.25-million Kukri Trophy.
The Patrick Biancone-trained private-purchase griffin had 13/4 lengths to spare over impressive last-start winner Wonderful Moment, who in turn held Go Go for second.
Flirting Dancer, by Irish Derby and Royal Ascot winner Shareef Dancer, out of a full sister to the Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Wassl, has now won two of his three starts.
It would have been three out of three but for his debut effort turning into a sit-and-sprint affair that caught him out.
Biancone said: ''He's going to be a very nice horse over a mile, and he may stay farther as he is so relaxed.
''The way he gallops is so reminiscent of his sire and he is so relaxed that he will give himself every chance of staying the Derby trip next season.
''For the time being that could be enough for the season. I will now probably give him a good long rest.