A decision to stay in Melbourne for an extra week has reaped rewards for the connections of Casino Dancer at Sandown.

Trainer Mike Van Gestel made the 11-hour trip to Melbourne from his Hawkesbury base last week for a third placing at Flemington before deciding on backing the mare up in the Group Three Eclipse Stakes on Saturday.

Ridden by James Winks, Casino Dancer ($13) scored a three-quarter length win from Puccini ($12) with Worthy Cause ($8.50) 1-3/4 lengths away third.

Van Gestal said Casino Dancer had enjoyed an easy week at the Flemington stables of Nigel Blackiston.

"It was a hard trip coming down here in the float, 11 hours, the day before her race last week," Van Gestel said.

"She ran very well and this week we cuddled her, swam her and walked her and she didn't go on the track at all because I know her so well.

"I was very confident today she would win."

Casino Dancer was lining up for her 52nd start on Saturday, recording her sixth victory.

Van Gestel said the daughter of Casino Prince was a slow-maturing mare who was enjoying her racing.

He said the mare would be back on the float on Sunday morning for the return journey to Hawkesbury.

"I'm sure she's due for a spell," Van Gestel said.

"She's going back tomorrow and if she gets home well and does well we might run in the Villiers."

The Group Two Villiers Stakes will be run at Randwick on December 12.