Unofficial trainer sets Oaks as next target

SHE’S the listed trainer of Victoria Oaks prospect Dancing Finn, but according to her niece, Amanda Grieve is not the ‘true’ trainer!

Consistently making her way to the stable with Grieve, Sophie Grieve is the one who actually has everything under control.

With a keen eye for detail, the eight-year-old thrives on “pointing out this and that and questioning why things are done certain ways”.

“Sophie loves being around the horses,” Grieve said. “If you ask her, she’s the official trainer.

“She’s always pointing out this and that and questioning why things are done certain ways.

“Why has that horse get this rug on, or why is it tied up over there, as though she’s in charge and things should be arranged to her liking.

“She likes to think she’s the boss especially if a horse becomes her favourite like Dancing Finn has.”

Thanks to Sophie’s keen eye and training prowess, Dancing Finn completed consecutive wins when too good in Cranbourne during the weekend.

Driven by top reinsman Zac Phillips, Dancing Finn led throughout to score by a metre-and-a-half from Balenciago, with Jacks Command two-and-a-half metres away third.

Covering the mile in 1:56.1, the daughter of A Rocknroll Dance took her record to 12 wins and eight placings from 25 starts for a bankroll of $73,714.

“She’s a very nice filly as her record shows,” Grieve said. “That was only her sixth start for me, sorry Sophie, and she’s won three of those, plus a third.

“I’ll have to confirm with the trainer, but we’re looking at the Victoria Oaks next month, then she’ll go back to South Australia for the Southern Cross later in the year.”