Yankee Rose will head to the Cox Plate if she wins the Spring Champion Stakes
Yankee Rose will be on trial for a Cox Plate berth if she runs in the Group One Spring Champion Stakes.
Trainer David Vandyke was impressed with the filly’s recovery after her second in Saturday’s Flight Stakes (1600m) and decided to nominate for this Saturday’s race at Randwick.
While she is untested at 2000m, the Group Two Vase on Cox Plate day also over 2040m at Moonee Valley is the other option Vandyke is toying with.
“If she wins on Saturday we go to the Cox Plate,” Vandyke said.
“If she gets beaten we’ll reassess but if she runs a good race she’ll probably go to the Vase.”
Vandyke said Yankee Rose’s performances as a two-year-old when she won the Group One ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes had given a stronger indication of her ability to run 2000m than her efforts at three.
“She wasn’t as strong past the line last Saturday as she was in the Sires’ or the Golden Slipper,” Vandyke said.
“Her sire All American never won past a mile but whether she’s a 2000 metre-plus horse or not I’m unsure.”
As for a start in the Spring Champion, the week leading up to the race will be crucial.
“It’s only early days and I’ll certainly keep a close eye on her, see how she gallops on Wednesday and how she recovers from that. If I’ve got any doubt we won’t run,” Vandyke said.
“If I’m confident she’s in good shape we’ll go round.”
Yankee Rose is among 13 nominations for the Spring Champion including three from trainer Chris Waller – Gloaming Stakes winner Veladero, Tumultuous and High Mist.
Waller has put that trio on the same path as Vanbrugh who he trained to win last year’s Spring Champion.
Yankee Rose is the $2.60 early favourite ahead of Champagne Stakes winner Prized Icon at $3.50.
Hawkes Racing-trained colt Swear is next pick at $6 and Moqueen, who broke her maiden in the Listed Dulcify Quality on Saturday, is at $9.50.
Victorian trainer Pat Carey has nominated Khartoum and Rodney Ollerton has entered Hand It In who finished seventh in the Dulcify.
