The Victorian Oaks has been put down to experience for Arabian Gold whose future lies in middle distance racing.
Arabian Gold finished sixth over the 2500 metres at Flemington and trainer David Vandyke said that convinced him she would not be prepared for the Australian Oaks in the autumn.
The winner of four races at two, Arabian Gold ran second to Guelph in the Tea Rose Stakes at her first start of the new season and finished fourth behind the star filly in the Flight Stakes.
Arabian Gold’s win in the Listed Ethereal Stakes over 2000m at Flemington prompted her trainer and owner Nick Moraitis to continue to the Oaks.
“There will be no Oaks in Sydney for her,” Vandyke said.
“She had a crack at it and it wasn’t for her. She won’t ever run over that distance again.
“She comes back to the stable on Monday and we will target the Coolmore Classic and races like that.
“I think races around 1600 to 1800 metres would be her best trip.
“We’ll just see where we end up.”
Vandyke has high expectations for another three-year-old, Ike’s Legacy, who begins his autumn preparations in an 800m barrier trial at Warwick Farm on Monday.
A debut winner in June, Ike’s Legacy was being prepared for the Group One Golden Rose but Vandyke abandoned those plans after he jarred up in his lead-up.
“I’m very happy with how he’s come back and he will be aimed at the Randwick Guineas,” Vandyke said.
“He jarred up on the firm track in the Run To The Rose so we stopped him.
“Peter Robl will ride him in the trial because Blake Shinn is unavailable.
“Blake is his race rider but if he can’t be there for some reason, then Peter will ride.”
Ike’s Legacy is by Redoute’s Choice out of grand race mare Ike’s Dream, winner of the 2005 Queen of the Turf Stakes.
