Gypsy Goddess looks primed for an Oaks campaign

By Glenn Davis

Star filly Gypsy Goddess booked a long-range Oaks campaign after stunning trainer David Vandyke with her impressive win in the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Gypsy Goddess, ridden by Steph Thornton, maintained her unbeaten record in four starts with a decisive win over Toowoomba filly Balmaurice in the 2100-metre feature.

Gypsy Goddess is now Oaks bound but Vandyke is yet decide whether it will be the Australian Oaks in Sydney or the Queensland Oaks in Brisbane next year.

The daughter of Tarzino became the first horse Vandyke has trained to win a Group race in its first preparation.

“Geez, I was confident turning for home.” Vandyke said.

“She (Thornton) hadn’t moved on her.

“She’s got Oaks written all over her.

“It’s quite amazing as I’ve never had a horse win a Group race in its first preparation.”

Vandyke is still in disbelief how quickly Gypsy Goddess has blossomed into a potential staying star.

“Before her maiden win, she couldn’t beat a horse on the track and yet now she’d climbed the ladder that quickly,” he said.

“You’d think mentally it would have her a bit hot but she’s just beautiful.

“I’ll see how she eats, and see how she is physically and mentally before deciding whether to go to Sydney for the Oaks or wait for the Queensland Oaks.”

Meanwhile, another promising filly Me Me Lagarde booked a spot in the $2 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas at the Gold Coast next month with a powerful win in the Listed Gold Edition Plate.

Ridden by Robbie Fradd, Me Me Lagarde had too much firepower for Far Too Easy winning by almost two lengths.

Co-trainer Toby Edmonds had hoped to qualify her for the Magic Millions earlier but a foot abscess forced her to miss a crucial Doomben start.

Edmonds conceded he had some concern with the filly racing at Eagle Farm and was relieved when she made it three wins from four starts for owner Gerry Harvey.

“You would go a long way to see a run like that on this track, on speed most of the day and she has come from well back and put them away,” Edmonds said.

The Chris Munce-trained Stampe gave the former champion jockey his first win in the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes with a commanding one-and-a-quarter-length win over the Chris Waller-trained Sambo.

Stampe lived up to his form line behind star sprinter Zoustyle and Tambo’s Mate and will now try to earn a start on Magic Millions day.  

“He’s very tough but I’m not sure what we’ll do him with now,” Munce said.

“It was a deserved win as he’s been knocking at the door and racing really well.”