Gypsy Goddess Ready for Oaks, But Barrier No Help

Media Release - Wednesday June 1

Gypsy Goddess has continued her bad run of luck with barriers after drawing the outside gate in the 18-horse field for Saturday’s Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm.

Gypsy Goddess will be looking to be the second G1 winner for Tarzino joining SA Derby winner Jungle Magnate.

It is nothing new for the daughter of Tarzino who has had to overcome wide draws in her previous outings this preparation when placing in the Gr.1 Vinery Stakes (1850m), Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m), and Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m).

“It is a terrible barrier,” trainer David Vandyke said.

“I am glad that we have got the Wiz (jockey William Pike) on, he will have to bring out his best and have a bit of luck too.

“I will leave it up to Willie, I am not too sure where she will be in the run.”

Despite the draw, Vandyke has been pleased with his filly heading into the weekend.

“She has got good form going into this and she deserves to be favourite as far as ability goes,” he said.

“We have kept lifting the bar and she has kept jumping through the hoops.

“She has gone pretty much from a maiden win at the start of this campaign to being placed twice in Group One company.

Advertisement

“It has been a massive preparation and she certainly deserves her place in Saturday’s field and hopefully she can go out a Group One winner.”

Vandyke has become a fan of her sire Tarzino and went home with three yearlings by the Westbury Stud sire from Karaka in March.

“I have got a few by Tarzino,” he said. “I love the breed, they are tough but they just need a little bit of time.

“I bought three Tarzinos from Karaka. I have still got to syndicate them so I am hoping Gypsy can win on Saturday to help me get them done.”

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.

Tarzino has already hit the headlines in recent weeks as the sire of Jungle Magnate, who won the Gr.1 South Australia Derby (2500m), with Gypsy Goddess looking to become the young stallion’s second Group One winner from his first crop. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Finding the Perfect Match for Your Mare
Now that the first foals of the season have hit the ground at farms across the country, breeders are finalising stallion bookings and searching for the perfect match for their mares.
Spring Trial Watch – Hawkesbury
There was an interesting set of trials at Hawkesbury on Monday that featured heat winners including Golden Slipper winner Marhoona, Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker as well as the Waterhouse Bott stable Cups contenders Sir Delius (GB) and Vauban (FR), plus we may have seen an Everest horse.
Well Bred Zousain Debut Winner
A full sister to Zousain’s Group III winning filly Drifting, Cheeky Contiki made a winning debut at Pakenham on Monday for the Lindsay Park Racing team.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 25
Here is the full list of 12 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Top Filly Beats Top Colt in G1 Prix Morny
The Group I Prix Morny (1200m) at Deauville overnight produced a mightly clash between unbeaten Starspangled banner colt Gstaad and unbeaten filly Venetian Sun with the filly prevailing, although Starspangledbanner got some consolation with a new G3 winning 2YO at Goodwood.
Narrow Miss for Hellbent Gelding in G2 Foxbridge
Lhasa proved he is more than a synthetic track specialist when he nearly caused an upset when finishing runner-up in Saturday’s Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa.
Trial Winner for Captivant
Captivant’s early promise was on full display at today’s Waipa trials when Capital Express stormed to victory in Heat 4. The Paul Pertab-trained 2YO colt impressed early, showcasing the speed and class expected of his G1 Champagne Stakes-winning sire in a performance that marked him as one to watch.
Spring Plans for El Vencedor
New Zealand’s top-rated performer El Vencedor will contest all three legs of the spring Triple Crown series.
No Everest for Sunshine in Paris - Retired to Stud
Disappointing news from Annabel and Rob Archibald on Tuesday with an announcement that the stable’s star sprinter Sunshine in Paris has sustained an injury in trackwork and will be  retired.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday August 26
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.