The Ararat Gold Cup has headed east after Cable Dancer ($3.70) finished over the top in last Sunday’s 2200-metre feature. 
The Charlotte Littlefield-trained gelding carried just 54kg and was given a patient ride by jockey Declan Bates, who settled rearward and watched it all unfold before moving into the race approaching the home bend. 
Bates would’ve been rubbing his hands together as the Henry Dwyer-trained even-money pop Chasing Aphrodite was given no peace in the lead, Mickio ($15) annoying the ex-UK galloper throughout and, to his credit, hitting the front in the home straight. 
The favourite quickly fought off that challenge, but no sooner had he regained the lead than the visitor from Pakenham came sweeping over the top with a perfectly timed run, Bates soft on the line as he registered a 1¾-length win. 
Chasing Aphrodite held on for second — for the third time in a row, having been runner-up in the Benalla and Hamilton cups — while Early Warning returned to form for Paul Preusker by grabbing third place. 
Sunday’s victory was win number six for Cable Dancer, a six-year-old son of Cable Bay who had plenty of support in the market and in the mounting yard on the day.
Harry, Currie bag Bowl
The other feature on Sunday was the $80,000 Ararat Bowl (1300m), which saw a neck separate the trifecta over the line in a thrilling finish. 
La Ferrari ($3.90) for Team Hayes settled in the lead, just ahead of last-start Moonee Valley runner-up Mytemptation ($3.20) for Enver Jusufovic, the pair stalked throughout by Hayes second string Run Harry Run ($6.50). 
This trio broke away in the home straight, Luke Currie punching out Run Harry Run to get the prize and consign Mytemptation to another second placing. 
La Ferrari was a nose away in third and five lengths to the good of the rest of the field, who could make no impact from off the speed. 
It was Run Harry Run’s first win from six starts since joining the Lindsay Park operation from the stable of the late Michael Moroney, achieved first up on the back of a pair of Flemington jumpout wins.
Don’t duck Donald
Attention turns to Royal Donald this Sunday for its cup meeting.