Former Warwick Farm trainer David Vandyke got his new Queensland venture off to a flying start when Look To The Stars won the Listed Princess Stakes (1600m) on Saturday.
Vandyke, who won the Group One ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes with Yankee Rose during the Sydney autumn carnival, has six horses at his new Caloundra base.
“Those six are my winter carnival horses and then I will have 15 by the end of July. I have 32 boxes and it will be a matter of filling them,” Vandyke said.
“Wins like today are great because it was for Darby Racing who have supported me in my move here and it was my first runner from my new stable.”
Look To the Stars was backed from $4 in $2.50 and justified the confidence when she beat Queen Of Wands ($2.50) by a short neck with Sahara Siren ($101) a length back in third place.
The filly won Group Two BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes and ran third in the Group One JJ Atkins Stakes last year when trained by Clarry Conners.
“It is great to get her back somewhere near that form. From here we will head to the Doomben Roses in a three weeks and then hopefully the Queensland Oaks,” Vandyke said.
Winning jockey Blake Spriggs said it had been a brave effort because Look To The Stars had hit the lead in the straight and had been a sitting shot for the rest of the field.
Damian Browne, who rode Queen Of Wands, said his filly had hit the line like a horse looking for further.
Queen Of Wands, who is trained by Conners, is also heading towards the Queensland Oaks.
Trainer Alan Jones was thrilled with the effort of Sahara Siren who finished well.
“My filly is a maiden so it was either a great run by her or don’t get too enthusiastic about the others,” he said.
