David Vandyke has the perfect answer to those who have questioned his ability to train two-year-olds – Yankee Rose.
The filly’s second win from as many starts at Rosehill on Saturday qualifies her for the $3.5 million Golden Slipper in March and her trainer is excited.
Yankee Rose – Golden Gift 2015
“I’ve only had a handful of two-year-old runners,” Vandyke said.
“In fact people have asked if I could train a two-year-old.
“Sometimes good horses make good trainers and she is a good horse.”
The field for the Golden Gift (1100m) was reduced to seven after scratchings and Yankee Rose ($4) was in front of only one other for much of the race.
Good Standing ($19) appeared to have a winning break until until the 100m but when Jason Collett asked Yankee Rose for an effort, the filly responded with a withering burst to win by half a neck.
Yankee Rose beat last week’s Rosehill winner Faraway Town on debut on October 31 and her prize money now stands at $177,200.
“That gets her into the Slipper and I can’t wait to get there,” Vandyke said.
“I didn’t think she could finish like that over 1100 metres.
“She will go out for six weeks on Monday and we’ll bring her back for the autumn.
“She is still pretty small and what she is doing now, she is doing on raw ability and it was a ten out of ten ride by Jason.”
The $3.60 favourite, Bravissimo, finished sixth, more than 17 lengths from the winner with jockey Tim Clark saying he didn’t stretch out as he had during his four length barrier trial win on a soft track.
