Outstanding three-year-old filly Gypsy Goddess left her opponents without an excuse when overcoming the widest barrier to claim Saturday’s $700,000 Group 1 Channel 7 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm.
Ridden by Willie Pike for David Vandyke, Gypsy Goddess settled back in the final few. Set alight by Pike to move in to a challenging position on the home turn, the daughter of Tarzino circled the field, coming widest of all on straightening.
Gypsy Goddess defeated the ever-constant Rebel Raider filly, Barb Raider, by length, with the Puccini filly, Le Villi, a half-length back in third.
It was a welcome change of luck for Gypsy Goddess, who placed in the Group 1 ATC Australian Oaks, Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes and Listed Gold Coast Bracelet at her last three starts.
The daughter of daughter of VRC Derby and Rosehill Guineas winner Tarzino advances her record to six wins, two seconds, and a third from nine starts with earnings of $972,300.
“That was just amazing. All the love and care that has gone into her over the last seven-and-a-half months since she won her maiden,” Vandyke said.
“Emma, the staff, the vet, the farrier. It’s just been an amazing period. We focussed on getting this girl to the best possible place, and to finish with a Group 1 is a career highlight.
“She’s had a hard journey. She raced up here (Queensland), went down (to Sydney) on the heavy tracks, and came back up. A couple of weeks ago, I said to the boys that we'd probably turn her out if it were any other horse.
“But we just gave her every chance to get here. She bounced back well this last week. Willie probably wished he waited another furlong - she just rounded them up and went to the front, I thought he might have gone too soon.
Gypsy Goddess and Willie Pike (image Racing Qld)
“He couldn’t wait any longer: He just had a lapful of horse, and doesn’t she love Eagle Farm. The jobs done. She’s won her Group 1. She’s done a fantastic job, a great group of patient owners. Bob Jones has been with me for many, many years. He’s been a great client. To win a Group 1 for him, it’s just still sinking in.
“This is my career highlight with this girl. I didn’t even think she could win a maiden. Now, it’s been a journey, such an arduous time, and to see her wrap up a field of quality fillies like that, at Group 1 level in our home state, that’ll do me.”
Gypsy Goddess as a yearling
Despite a modest $20,000 reserve, Gypsy Goddess left the ring unsold when consigned by Curraghmore to the 2020 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale. She races for her breeder Chris Lawler and partners, including the Jones family.
She is the best of three winners from four to race out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Invisible Coin, a sister to Group 1 Flight Stakes winner Cheeky Choice.
Vandyke Racing/Hughes Bloodstock went to $110,000 for Haunui Farm’s Belardo (IRE) half-brother to Gypsy Goddess at the NZB Karaka Yearling Sale.
Invisible Coin has a weanling colt by Belardo (IRE) and was covered by Ribchester (IRE).
Gypsy Goddess honours Westbury Stud’s Tarzino with his second Group 1 winner from his first crop after Jungle Magnate captured the recent SAJC South Australian Derby.
