When the Grand Prix Stakes was launched in 1971, it was off to a flyer with Queensland’s much-loved filly Mode defeating the southerner Planet Kingdom.
A procession of big names followed, including Latin Knight and Asgard. The great Balmerino won the race in 1976, and the following year his niece Surround did the same. That was a golden era for the Grand Prix as Lefroy won in ’78, Double Century in ’79 and Kingston Town in 1980.
Few would be able to name more than three winners of the race in the last three decades. In 2006 the Grand Prix was downgraded from Group II to Group III.
The 2021 edition at Eagle Farm on Saturday has attracted just seven runners. Between them, they have had 50 starts for 12 wins.
Three of those wins belong to the David Vandyke trained Gypsy Goddess, who puts her undefeated record on the lone in Saturday’s 2100m feature.
Gypsy Goddess comes from the first crop of Tavistock’s Victoria Derby and Rosehill Guineas winner Tarzino.
The Westbury Stud stallion has averaged just over 80 foals in his first three crops. Thirty-eight yearlings from his first crop averaged over $71,000, and 16 from his second crop averaged $50,000.
Despite a modest $20,000 reserve, Gypsy Goddess was one of 13 first crop Tarzinos to leave the ring unsold when consigned by Curraghmore to the 2020 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale.
In stepped Dr Chris Lawler, who, along with Vandyke’s good client and friend Bob Jones, purchased a significant share in the daughter of Tarzino.
Unsurprisingly, Tarzino was slow off the mark with just one winner from eight starters at two. That was Jungle Magnate, who won his only start at two at Sandown and has placed in the Group II Moonee Valley Vase and Listed Hill Smith Stakes.
Gypsy Goddess was no instant sensation in the Vandyke barn.
Her trainer initially thought she would be lucky to win a maiden.
It took just one start to achieve that. She broke her maiden over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast on October 17 before making it two from two over 1600m on the same track three weeks later.
Gypsy Goddess overcame a troubled run to win over 2000m at Doomben at her most recent start.
She defeated one of her main rivals on Saturday, Pool Pony (Shalaa), by a length and a half and meets her on 1.5kgs better terms.
Gypsy Goddess is the fourth foal and third winner out of the unraced Redoute’s Choice mare, Invisible Coin.
A sister to the Group 1 AJC Flight Stakes winner Cheeky Choice, Invisible Coin was purchased by Qatar Bloodstock for $60,000 from the Teeley Asset Dispersal at the 2014 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Invisible Coin is out of the Caerleon mare Christchurch, who was imported in utero. Christchurch is a half-sister to the Listed Angst stakes winner and Group 1 NZ Oaks third Danasia (Danehill), the dam of Group 1 Rosehill Guineas winner Zabrasive.
Danasia’s stakes-placed sister is the dam of the Group III Epona Stakes winner Scratchy Bottom (Sebring), who finished third in the Group 1 South Australian Derby.
Christchurch’s dam Lady Of Persia (USA) (Persian Bold) was a three-times Listed stakes-winner in France.
She is a descendant of the Epsom Oaks heroine Meld, the dam of Epsom Derby winner Charlottown (GB), who spent his later years at stud in Australia.
Charlottown (GB) was one of five sons of Meld to stand in Australasia. Lysander (GB), Scarletville (IRE), and Ragotina (GB) stood with varying degrees of success. However, there was only one big daddy, the great Mellay (GB), whose influence is still felt some sixty years later.
