Gypsy Goddess on Track for Oaks

Media Release - Thursday April 7

Trainer David Vandyke can’t wait to see Gypsy Goddess over more ground at Randwick on Saturday.

The daughter of Tarzino was impressive when running home for third in the Gr.1 Vinery Stakes (1850m) at Newcastle last start, with the race reducing from its original 2000m distance after being transferred from Rosehill.

Gypsy Goddess

She clocked the fasted closing 200m of the race and Vandyke believes she will appreciate the step-up to 2400m in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks this weekend.

“That is how we have trained her. She has never raced under 1400m and all her work has been geared up for an Oaks,” Vandyke told RSN.

“We have never tried to get her to sprint hard over the shorter courses. We have set her up to run a strong 2400m. Being a Heavy track at Randwick it will be more like a 2600m.”

The Sunshine Coast horseman said his filly has come through the Vinery well and while he is hopeful she will appreciate the rain-affected track, he admitted he is still unsure how she will cope on what will likely be a Heavy10 surface.

“She felt it the couple of days after but bounced back really good from then. She is eating really well now, she looks good in the coat, and she is ready for Saturday,” Vandyke said.

“It is going to be a Heavy10, you would imagine. She did go well on a 6 at Doomben and won impressively there.

“I think she can handle it (Heavy10), but I don’t really know.

“She has got an economical action, which I think will help, and she is not a heavy horse, which is an asset in getting through wet ground.

“I am just hoping more than anything. The signs are that she should get through it but at this top level if she is not 100 percent on it then they will find her out.”

Gypsy Goddess will be ridden by William Pike from gate 11 and Vandyke said they may ride her more positively than in previous races.

Advertisement

“There is speed drawn around her and there are a couple that will go forward from out wide,” he said.

“In these type of events, half of the field may be struggling from the 600m on and it can be a bit dangerous getting back in the field behind tiring horses, especially on a Heavy10.

“We will have a good look over the next 24 hours and work out where we would like to be.

“How she jumps and how she gets into stride will determine to a degree where we sit, and also what they do around us.”

Following Saturday, Vandyke said there are plenty of options open to the Kiwi-bred.

“We have got the options ahead of us,” he said. “I am hoping that Saturday gives us a good guide as to where we can head next.

“They are only three once, do we tackle the Queensland Carnival? We know that she runs well at Eagle Farm; or do we bypass that and wait for Melbourne and look to the Classics there.

“We will just see how she runs on Saturday and how she recovers.”

Gypsy Goddess is yet another quality galloper raised at Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore but she failed to meet her $20,000 reserve when offered as Lot 1145 in the Book 2 session of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.

Co-bred by highly-regarded veterinarian Chris Lawler, who also purchased and raced her sire Tarzino, Gypsy Goddess is out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Invisible Coin.

Lawler remains in the ownership of Gypsy Goddess, racing her with a syndicate that includes Bob Jones, one of Vandyke’s biggest stable clients. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Magic Millions First Digital Sale - Opportunities Aplenty
Bidding is now open for the first Magic Millions Digital Sale with opportunities across all levels of the market for prospective buyers.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 MVRC Cox Plate
An emotional week in Australasian racing approaches its crescendo as we count down to the final Cox Plate before a radical new era in its history begins and we mourn the passing of one of its greatest champions.
Good News Week for Geisel Park
Geisel Park’s black-type mare Laced Up Heels is in foal off a maiden cover to Champion Australian Sire Zoustar and an orphan foal has found a new mum.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
Coolmore Favs get the Flemington Straight Experience in Jump Outs
Beiwacht, Beadman and Skyhook, three of the top four in the market for next month’s Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes had a jump out down the Flemington straight on Friday with Beadman quite the eye-catcher.
Second Wootton Bassett Son Added to Coolmore Stallion Roster for 2026
Set to join Camille Pissarro as the second G1 winning son of Wootton Bassett on the stallion roster for Ireland in 2026 is Henri Matisse, who this time last year was about to claim his first G1 victory at the Breeders Cup meeting at Del Mar.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 23
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
Premier Racing Stables for Sale in New Zealand
A unique opportunity to get a foothold in the heart of thoroughbred country in New Zealand has arisen offering both functionality and prestige within an ideal base to pursue racing success in the leading equine region in the country.
NZB Breeze Up Footage Now Available to View Online
The highly anticipated Breeze Up videos for NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale are now available to view online at nzb.co.nz.