Kiwi bred Gypsy Goddess will have just one run this spring but that could be more than enough to keep the wolf from the door.
The Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) winner will head into the A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday first-up, which was always the plan for trainer David Vandyke after his mare’s busy three-year-old season.
“She had a very long, arduous time as a three-year-old and we just wanted to give her a nice, little preparation and the one run seemed ideal,” Vandyke told RacingHQ.
“The prizemoney was a big drawcard. She is a mare that has raced very well first-up over the 1400m to mile distance.
“With a couple of trials under her belt, we have her nice and forward.”
The daughter of Tarzino had nine starts last season for six wins and three placings, including victories in the Queensland Oaks and Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (2100m), and placed in the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (1850m), Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) and Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m).
She has returned in superb order according to her trainer, who expects her to feature in the finish this weekend.
“She has strengthened up a little bit, mentally she is in a great place. Physically and mentally she is ahead of where she was at the end of last prep,” Vandyke said.
Gypsy Goddess will continue to have a quiet time of it for the remainder of the season, with her Sunshine Coast trainer looking at targets closer to home over the Queensland Winter Carnival before setting his sights on Melbourne feature racing next spring.
“After Saturday’s performance she will enjoy a bit of time out and we will see a really good mare next year,” he said.
“I am yet to discuss it at length with the owners, but I am thinking we will give her the autumn off and probably (campaign her in) winter during the carnival up here, and then possibly have a tilt at the Cups next year.
“The indications are good (that she will get 3200m). She relaxes so well. She is very strong late.
“There is no problem at all with 2400m and with a bit of maturity under her belt as an older horse, I think it is worth having a tilt at the 3200m.”
Raised at Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore, Gypsy Goddess 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, who has career earnings of A$972,300, racing her with a syndicate that includes Bob Jones, one of Vandyke’s biggest stable clients. – NZ Racing Desk
