David Vandyke moves to a new phase of his regenerated training career on Wednesday when he saddles up blue blood Ike’s Legacy at Warwick Farm.
Vandyke, who originally trained under his family name David Hayes, gave it away 20 years ago but was drawn back and reapplied for his licence in early 2010.
Starting with just two horses and taking his mother’s maiden name to avoid confusion with the Hall of Fame trainer, Vandyke has steadily built a reputation rehabilitating horses others had given up on.
His 32 boxes are now filled with Ike’s Legacy one of only a handful of two-year-olds he has sent to the races.
A son of Redoute’s Choice out of Group One winning mare Ike’s Dream, the colt will carry a weight of expectation when he lines up in the TAB Ipad Hcp (1300m).
“We are all very excited about his debut,” Vandyke said.
“He has to be close to being the best bred horse in the stable and has the perfect credentials to become a stallion.
“If he does what we expect he will have a couple of weeks off and be aimed at the Golden Rose.”
The Golden Rose (1400m) on September 14 is the first Group One race of the Sydney spring.
Vandyke said Ike’s Legacy gave him confidence he could go on to the highest level.
“He has the perfect nature,” he said.
“He is relaxes, he is confident and the complete package.
“His breeder Noel Carroll races him and he is out of a wonderful race mare who sadly is no longer with us, hence his name.”
Ike’s Dream raced at the highest level throughout her career with the pinnacle her victory in the 2005 Queen of the Turf.
Ike’s Legacy will be ridden by Peter Robl, his partner in a recent barrier trial win.
