Trainer David Vandyke started the month of June with a memorable flourish when Gypsy Goddess landed the Group 1 Queensland Oaks and, while there are no Group 1’s on offer at the Sunshine Coast on the first Saturday meeting in July, the stable will again be looking to kick off the month well and add to its feature race success scoreboard over the Queensland Winter Carnival.
Just as was the case two weeks ago at the last Provincial Carnival meeting at Ipswich, on Ipswich Cup day, Vandyke has runners in all three feature races on the card.
At Ipswich, Vandyke came away with a two runner-up results … in the Eye liner (with Desert Lord) and the Gai Waterhouse Classic (with Maybe The Best) … as well as a third place in the Ipswich Cup (with Street Dancer). All of those features were Listed races.
On Saturday, Vandyke again has representation in all three features … the Group 3 Winx Guineas, the Listed Caloundra Cup and the Listed Glasshouse Handicap.
“Ipswich helped pay the bills, but I’d actually rather win a midweek than be running places anywhere,” said Vandyke, underlining his appetite for absolute victory.
And looking forward to Saturday?
“Whitewater (in the Guineas) won well last week. He’ll back up well. He will get back in the run, but he should be finishing hard … and if there is a bit of pace on it will enhance his chances,” offered Vandyke.
“Street Dancer should run well in the Caloundra Cup,” continued Vandyke. “He is at the top of his game. The track will probably be wet … and he should handle that ok.
“I also have Spencer in the Cup. He’s improved since his run at Ipswich. He is obviously a roughie, but I think he will finish in the first half of the field.”
And last, but not least, Desert Lord in the Glasshouse.
“Look, he is a real chance,” said Vandyke, “that is, if it doesn’t rain.
“If it does rain, we will probably end up at rocky for the Newmarket. If it rains at Rocky … I don’t know here we will go.”
Street Dancer is currently an $8 chance in the Cup where the stable companion Spencer is unwanted at $81, while Whitewater is quoted at $12 for the Guineas and Desert Lord is a $6 chance in the Glasshouse.
