Amity Gal on trial for Light Fingers trip in Sydney

By Glenn Davis

Talented filly Amity Gal will be on trial for a trip to Sydney for next month’s Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes when she attempts to maintain her unbeaten record at Doomben on Saturday.

The David Vandyke-trained Amity Gal showed she was above average winning her only start on her home track at the Sunshine Coast on January 2.

The well-bred daughter of Cox Plate winner Shamus Award steps out for the second time against her own sex in the QTIS Fillies Three-Year-Old Handicap over 1200 metres and will be ridden by top hoop Ryan Maloney.

“She’ll need to win or run very well to warrant going down for the Light Fingers,” Vandyke said.

“It’s one race at a time with her and Saturday will give us a good guide whether she’s up to the better races in Sydney.”

Vandyke is hoping Amity Gal can continue her progression but is undecided whether she’ll stay on in Sydney and be joined later by unbeaten stable-mate Gypsy Goddess.

Gypsy Goddess is being aimed at the Group 1 Australian Oaks over 2400 metres at Randwick in April after recording four wins from as many starts including the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm last month.

The daughter of Tarzino became the first horse Vandyke has trained to win a Group race in its first preparation when she claimed the Grand Prix Stakes

“Gypsy Goddess is back in work and she’ll have her first run back over 1600 metres at Ipswich before she goes south for the Oaks,” Vandyke.

“But, she’ll also need to perform well at Ipswich if she’s to go to Sydney.”

Amity Gal is a full sister to last year’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks winner Duais who went on to claim the Group 3 Coogny Handicap at Caulfield prior to her Caulfield Cup failure last spring.

She also is a half-sister to Vandyke’s former top galloper Baccarat Baby who won eight races including the Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas in 2019 and five-times winner Amiche, now with Edward Cummings in Sydney.

Baccarat Baby earned more than $510,000 in prize money before heading to the breeding barn.

Vandyke believes Amity Gal looks like Baccarat Baby but has more speed than his former star performer.

“She’s sort of a cross between Baccarat Baby and Amiche,” Vandyke said.

“She’s got the speed of Amiche but she’s a tall filly and looks more like Baccarat Baby."