Shane Warne-owned galloper set to headline Ipswich meeting

By Glenn Davis

Australian Oaks contender Gypsy Goddess is likely to have her comeback appearance at Ipswich on Wednesday upstaged by a maiden colt part-owned by cricket legend, Shane Warne.

Gypsy Goddess’ trainer David Vandyke has confirmed three-year-old Sacred Oath will start in the Maiden Plate over 1500 metres.

Sacred Oath, who will by ridden by Ryan Maloney, has a host of other big names in his ownership including actor Shane Jacobson, Victorian media personality Hamish McLachlan and several AFL stars.

Sacred Oath is certain to have a huge sentimental following from punters nation-wide after Warne, 52, died suddenly from a suspected heart attack in Thailand at the weekend.

Sacred Oath is a son of Group 1 winner Sacred Falls and finished second on debut in a 1350-metre maiden at Doomben on February 16.

“Sacred Oath will be running and I’d love to see him win for the great man,” Vandyke said.

“I never met Shane Warne and everybody is still a bit shell shocked by his death.”

Vandyke is pushing ahead with an Ipswich start for Gypsy Goddess despite a track rated a Heavy 10.

The three-year-old hasn’t started since winning the Group 3 Grand Prix Stales at Eagle Farm in mid-December.

However, Vandyke has taken out some insurance by nominating Gypsy Goddess for the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap over 1600 metres when Eagle Farm hosts its first meeting since mid-December on Saturday.

“Gypsy Goddess will be running at Ipswich and I’m a bit worried about the heavy track,” he said.

“She’s got to go around this week otherwise she won’t go to Sydney for the Oaks.

“She’s coming along well and is fit enough to run 1500 metres first-up.

“The only reason she won’t run at Ipswich is if the meeting is called off.”

Vandyke, who bought six yearlings on the opening day of New Zealand’s Karaka sales on Monday, admits the Tarzino filly has caught him by surprise after four unbeaten runs.

Gypsy Goddess will be ridden in the Australian Oaks by the former ‘Wizard of the West’ William Pike, while gun apprentice Kyle Wilson-Taylor will be aboard in her Ipswich assignment.