Vandyke pair eye off Winter Carnival

By Glenn Davis

Trainer David Vandyke is hoping stablemates Skins and Amiche can confirm a TAB Queensland Winter Racing Carnival when the pair clash at Doomben on Wednesday.

Vandyke will have five runners at the Doomben meeting and is reluctant to separate Skins and Amiche in the Benchmark 78 Handicap over 1110 metres.

Skins is resuming after winning over the Doomben dash on a soft track on October 31 when ridden by Stephanie Thornton.

However, the five-year-old – winner of three of his five starts – will be reunited with Ryan Maloney who has ridden the gelding three times for two wins and a third.

Thornton retains the ride on Amiche who is coming off a last start win on a heavy track in Class 3 company at Doomben on March 3.

“They’re both quality horses who I’m hoping will be around for the winter carnival and be competitive,” Vandyke said.

“Either of them can win this race and they just need a bit of luck from their awkward draws.

“Skins has barrier trialled and is coming along nicely and should be hard to beat.

“Amiche won well first-up and loves a wet track which could be a big positive for her if we can a wet winter.”

Vandyke expects both to figure in the top three but is yet to devise a winter campaign for the pair.

“It’s probably a bit too early to pick out a particularl race for them as I’m not sure what level they will reach,” he said.

Vandyke will have five starters at Doomben and also expects strong performances from his other runners.

She’s A Regatta - a Mark Du Plessis mount - runs in the Maiden Plate over 1350 metres while Bering Sea tackles the Benchmark 75 Handicap over 1600 metres.

Unbeaten Roman Republic also is on the comeback trail in the 1200-metre Class 2 Handicap.

“Roman Republic won well at his only start at Doomben and should be competitive again while Bering Sea ran an honest race to run fifth last start,” Vandyke said.

“She’s A Regatta did a good job at her first start to finish third and she looks a nice filly on the rise.

“All my horses should be competitive but I’ll be happy for just one winner.”