FOLLOW DAVID VANDYKE RACING

By Graham Potter | Friday, July 5, 2024

FOLLOW UPDATED NEWS AND RESULTS FROM DAVID VANDYKE RACING

The David Vandyke trained Colleagues confirmed his prowess on a heavy racing surface when he claimed his third win in four starts on heavy going, taking out a BM68 Handicap over 1350m at Ipswich on July 5.

Colleagues has yet to finish out of the money on a heavy track, winning three times and finishing third once in four starts on a heavy surface ... and the son of Reliable Man duly got the job done again here as the $2.80 favourite, but he had to earn the result in a competitive finish which saw less than two lengths cover the first four runners across the line.

Colleagues was only ordinarily away at the jump and Vlad Duric, who was having his first ride on Colleagues, had his mount just worse than midfield in eighth place some four-and-a-half lengths off the lead in the early part. Read more ...

COLLEAGUES' WET WEATHER FORM SHINES THROUGH (JULY 5, 2024)

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The lightly raced Bohemian Lad maintained his exemplary formline when he gained his third win from only five starts when he saluted in a QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap over 1200m at Doomben on June 26.

In truth, Bohemian Lad has yet to run a bad race.

Bohemian Lad had two starts as a two-year-old, winning comfortable on debut, before finishing second in his follow-up start.

The son of Better Than ready was then away from race action for a full eight months before resuming with another first-up win in the first outing of his second preparation.

This time the win was in a Three-Year-Old BM62 Handicap over 1000m.

Again, a runner-up result was to follow second-up ... it is worth noting that in the two runs in which he was defeated, Bohemian Lad only went down by margins of a length and 0.20 lengths ... and then it was on to this latest assignment, this time with Ryan Maloney aboard.

Going into the race Maloney and Bohemian Lad were unbeaten as a horse/rider combination ... being two from two ...and they would come away with that record intact. Read more ...

BOHEMIAN LAD AND RYAN MALONEY KEEP THEIR UNBEATEN RECORD INTACT (JUNE 26, 2024)

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Three winners from five runners during the week from May 19 to May 25 ... that is the result the David Vandyke stable put on the scoreboard in a hot run of form.

Slippin’ Jimmy kicked off that trio of winners by taking out a QTIS Three-Year-Old BM62 Handicap over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast on May 19.

The lightly raced chestnut had saluted in his previous start at Kilcoy, winning there over the 1200m trip, a distance over which he had also landed his first career win back in December 2023, and he took the step up in distance to 1400m (for the first time) in his stride, saluting with a full two length margin in hand over the second placed runner.

Interestingly enough, all three of Slippin’ Jimmy’s career wins (from only six starts) have come on soft going, and he once again clearly relished that racing surface in this latest win. Read more ...

THREE WINNERS IN A HOT SPOT OF FORM FOR VANDYKE (MAY 19, 22 and 25, 2024)

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The David Vandyke trained Xpresso made it two wins from three starts since transferring to the Vandyke stable when he landed a Class 6 Handicap over 1100m at Ipswich on May 6.

The five-year-old son of Xtravagant only arrived at the Vandyke stable earlier this year as a three-time winner from eighteen starts (he relocated from the stable of trainer Nathan Doyle) and he was given two trials during a settling in period before Vandyke gave him to the green light for race action.

He duly won first-up for Vandyke (also at Ipswich over 1100m) and then was tested in town, going to Eagle Farm where Xpresso finished fourth in a BM88 over 1200m.

Then it was straight back to Ipswich ... to the track and distance where he secured his first win for Vandyke ... and history repeated itself as Xpresso put a second win for the stable on the scoreboard.

Ryan Maloney was positive out of the gates on Xpresso, but still remained measured in his approach as he took the Vandyke trained runner into third and then second place, taking up a watching brief less than two lengths behind the front-running Dashing Gee Gee ($21).

Maloney then asked Xpress to go up and tackle Dashing Gee Gee early in the home straight ... which he did ... but a fight awaited him as Dashing Gee Gee responded to the challenge, kicking on strongly, making Xpresso work every inch of the way for victory. Read more ...

XPRESSO GRINDS HIS WAY TO ANOTHER WIN (MAY 6, 2024)

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The lightly raced three-year-old chestnut gelding Slippin’ Jimmy added to his winning resume when he saluted in a Three-Year-Old BM60 Handicap over 1200m at Kilcoy on May 3.

It was the son of Pariah’s second career success in only five starts and it served as much as a confidence and an experience building exercise as it did as a winning result.

The David Vandyke trained runner had kicked off his career with a promising enough runner-up finish on debut back in November 2023 before finishing fourth in his second start.

Both of those starts were over 1000m and he started around the $8 mark on both of those occasions.

Slippin’ Jimmy then stepped up to a more suitable 1200m trip and punters didn’t miss him. He started favourite at $1.30 and his followers never had any moment of concern as he strolled in by a 4.50 length margin.

With that mission of gaining that first win accomplished, Vandyke put Slippin’ Jimmy out and gave him a three-and-a-half month break away from race action.

The similar pattern was in play in Slippin’ Jimmy’s second preparation, except he found the winners’ enclosure again quicker this time. Read more ...

SLIPPIN' JIMMY SLIDES IN FOR A SECOND CAREER WIN (MAY 3, 2024)

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Colleagues, the big grey, has bounced back with meaning landing a knockout blow on his opposition, when winning a BM65 Handicap over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast on April 25.

It was the David Vandyke trained runners first-up run following a four-and-a-half months break and the New Zealand bred relished the Heavy 8 underfoot conditions to score by a clearcut two length margin to remain undefeated on heavy going (that’s two from two now).

Colleagues justified favouritism with his performance ... he started at $2.25.

It might have been ten months between drinks , but that statistic disappeared into the past with every stride that Colleagues put in during this latest assignment.

The five-year-old son of Reliable Man landed in fourth place early, settling just under three lengths off the early leader and Ryan Maloney was happy to hold that position until the field turned for home.

At the top of the straight Maloney angled Colleagues out four wide into clear air and he quickly started to build race winning momentum. Read more ...

THE BIG GREY BOUNCES BACK (APRIL 25, 2024)
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What a weekend it was for David Vandyke Racing!

It wasn’t just the three stable winners over two meetings ... on Saturday April 13 and Sunday April 14 ... that was impressive ... it was the quality performances of Queensland Oaks candidate Moszur (who was winning for the third time in a row), of Ellibaby (who made it two wins from two starts) and from Fourandahalf (who won on debut) that caught the eye as much as the numbers in the frame.

Fair to say, Vandyke couldn’t have gone home any happier from these two meeting. Read more ...

THREE WINNERS ALL OOZING POTENTIAL (APRIL13 and April 14, 2024)

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This script never gets old for the David Vandyke stable.

A new horse comes into the Vandyke yard from down south. Vandyke primes it with a couple of trials. He wins the second trial. Vandyke pronounces him ready to race. He races. He wins.

Sure, it is not quite that simple, but it is a recurring theme, and the five-year-old gelding Xpresso added his name to that particular Vandyke honour roll when he won first time out for Vandyke when taking out a Class 4 Handicap over 1100m at Ipswich on April 1.

In fairness, Xpresso did bring some reasonable form with him. His last two starts (both in January) had been in Midway Handicaps in Sydney, and he was good enough to secure a runner-up finish in one of those races.

At Ipswich, the betting ($1.55) indicated the race was his for the taking.

Xpresso, who was drawn out in barrier seven in a nine-horse field, landed in the leading line and Jimmy Orman continued to push his mount forward before settling in a prominent third place, just a length-and-a-half to two lengths behind the leader. Read motre ...

XPRESSO MAKES A WINNING START IN QUEENSLAND (APRIL1, 2024)

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The three-year-old chestnut filly Moszur made it two wins on the trot when she landed a Class 1 Handicap over 1600m on the Sunshine Coast Poly Track on March 31.

The daughter of Churchill had really pleased trainer David Vandyke when she romped home to secure her Maiden victory by 3.72 lengths on February 21, and he said at the time that she would probably have a month between runs as he looks to guide her to an Queensland Oaks start in June.

“She’s bred to get into an Oaks, and we thought we’d just try to nurse her through the summer and get her out to a trip,” said David Vandyke after her Maiden win. “She’s struggled during the heat, so we’ve really been nursing her and nursing her ... and I can’t wait for things to cool down because I think she will do better then.”

True to his word, Vandyke gave Moszur that month to recuperate before she returned. The heat hadn’t quite died down yet, and with all of the rain that has been falling, the Sunshine Coast meetings in recent times have all been on the poly Track ... which is not always ideal, but Moszur needed to run to bring her along and keep that possible Oaks schedule on track.

Apprentice Cody Collis and his 2kg claim gave Moszur, who started as the $2 favourite, some weight relief from the 60kg she had been set to carry, and that was to prove useful in the run. Read more ...

MOSZUR MAKES IT TWO-IN-A-ROW (MARCH 31, 2024)

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The lightly raced Better Than Ready gelding, Ready To Pardon, came to Ipswich on February 29 with more trials under his belt than races, but he nevertheless was the dominant $1.26 race favourite when he lined up for the QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate over 1350m.

The David Vandyke trained runner had finished fifth on his debut back in June 2023 in his only start as a two-year-old, after which he was given a seven-and-a-half month break from race action.

He did, however, have four trials during that time ... between June 2023 and January 2024 ... before resuming at Gatton in a QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap over 1100m on February 8 where he finished second, touched off by the narrowest of margins by Five Star Vixen.

Here, at Ipswich, the finish was just as close ... with the difference being that this time the photo went in favour of Ready To Pardon, giving the Vandyke trained runner his first win in his third career start.

Ryan Maloney had Ready To Pardon well enough away sitting on the heels of the early leaders before being forced to ease in-between runners and slip back to fourth place, but still comfortably positioned, a little under three lengths off the lead.

Maloney held Ready To Pardon in that position until pushing forward into third place, two wide, on straightening. Read more ...

A CLOSE CALL, BUT READY TO PARDON GETS HOME (FEBRUARY 29, 2024)

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Wow! That was quite a debut win.

To say that the David Vandyke trained All Inclusive’s performance was impressive is probably an understatement.

This QTIS Jewel Prelude for two-year-old colts and geldings over 1100m at Doomben on February 24 was always going to be an intriguing contest with the betting suggesting that the two Stuart Kendrick trained runners, Defiant Boom and Street Chase could be in the pound seats.

The betting, in fact, struggled to separate the Kendrick runners with Defiant Boom, who had a two start race experience over All Inclusive, eventually jumping as the favourite at $3.30 with Street Chase, who, like All Inclusive was having his first outing (after two trial wins), right behind him at $3.40.

All Inclusive, who came into the race with one trial win behind his name, was the third favourite at $6.

All Inclusive raced some four lengths off the early lead, in-between runners, with only two horses behind him in the eleven-strong field.

Ryan Maloney steered All Inclusive into clear running approaching the home turn, but that route carried the Vandyke trained runner five wide taking the deficit out to as much as six lengths on straightening.

That’s when the son of All Too Hard’s superiority kicked in. Read more ...

ALL INCLUSIVE HAS THE TODMAN STAKES IN HIS SIGHTS AFTER AN IMPRESSIVE WIN IN THE JEWEL PRELUDE (FEBRUARY 24, 2024)

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While she was only shedding her Maiden ticket, the effort of the David Vandyke trained filly Moszur at Ipswich on Wednesday in a QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate over 1690m was well worth noting.

Moszur was second up in his fourth career start and, importantly, the daughter of Churchill was stepping out beyond 1400m for the first time to a more favourable, longer trip.

Moszur initially sat just off the speed, but Ryan Maloney quickly became unhappy with the pace being set up front, and he sent Moszur to the front passing the 800m mark.

From that moment, Moszur dictated and dominated proceedings, opening up such a comfortable advantage halfway up the home straight that Maloney was able to ease Moszur over the concluding stages ... yet still record a winning margin of 3.72 lengths.

“She’s bred to get into an Oaks, and we thought we’d just try to nurse her through the summer and get her out to a trip,” said David Vandyke. “She’s struggled during the heat, so we’ve really been nursing her and nursing her ... and I can’t wait for things to cool down because I think she will do better then. Read more ...

"SHE'S BRED TO GET INTO AN OAKS" - MOSZUR'S RUNAWAY WIN OPENS UP BIG RACE POSSIBILITIES (FEBRUARY 21, 2024)

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Trainer David Vandyke has always been a fan of the progeny of the sire Better Than Ready and his enthusiasm for the breed would only have become further entrenched following Bohemian Lad’s demolition job on the opposition in a QTIS Three-Year-Old BM62Handicap over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast on February 4.

“This (Bohemian Lad) is getting down to Winx and Black Caviar odds,” said commentator Josh Fleming as the field started loading and the Vandyke trainer runner’s price shortened from $1.30 to $1.12 ... and in the run itself, there was never a moments doubt about the fact that Bohemian Lad fully justified his price with a care-free romp that carried him to a facile second career victory from only three starts.

Ryan Maloney jumped Bohemian Lad on terms with the field before being happy to take a trail in second spot as The Lucky Alien ... at $6.50 the only runner bar Bohemian Lad to be quoted at less than $14 ... sped away up front trying to make every post a winning one.
Maloney kept Bohemian Lad holding a watching brief some two lengths back until the field straightened for home but, when Maloney gave the Vandyke trained runner a flick of the wrists approaching the 300m mark, Bohemian Lad responded on cue, quickly striding to the lead with a minimum of fuss ... before franking his superiority by reigning supreme all the way to the line without ever being asked to get out of second gear. Read more ...

BOHEMIAN LAD WINS LIKE ANY $1.12 FAVOURITE SHOULD (FEBRUARY 4, 2024)

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The lightly raced Exceed And Excel filly Adalie scored her second career win in only five starts when she landed a BM58 Handicap over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast on February 2,

The four-year-old had won her third start in her first preparation, improving with each run before taking out a Maiden Handicap over 1000m, also at the Sunshine Coast ... her home track.

After that first career win, Adalie was then allowed a break of a full six-and-a-half months before resuming, and this time in she went one better, saluting second-up in confident enough fashion, producing a sustained finish to run down Sneaky Three ($6.50) who had looked the likely winner inside the final 150m.

Ryan Maloney, who had partnered Adalie to her pervious win, was again in the saddle of the $5.50 equal favourite and he had the David Vandyke trained runner in the leading line at the break, but he then elected to go back from the wide draw (barrier ten), slipping into fifth place, still held three wide, racing some three to four lengths off the leader.

Maloney then shifted Adalie five wide on the turn to find clear galloping room, momentarily dropping to seventh place on straightening with Maloney still riding hands and heels. Read more ...

ADALIE MAKES IT TWO WINS FROM FIVE STARTS (FEBRUARY 2, 2024)

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Everybody will have their own opinion on this, but a black thoroughbred racehorse, with a deep black colour, somehow seems to accentuate the magnificence of the breed.

Enter Antonito ... a three-year-old black gelding from the David Vandyke stable.

The son of Sacred Falls had raced once before, an unplaced run over 1200m, when he arrived at Doomben fresh from a three-month break from race action to contest his second start in a Maiden Plate over 1050m at Doomben on February 1, getting into the field as an emergency acceptor.

Antonito did have a barrier trial win under his belt in mid-January with gave some pointer as to how he might perform first-up and he was a solid enough favourite, even if still reasonably easy to back when shortening from $3.60 to $3.

Ben Thompson, who was in the saddle for the first time, jumped Antonito into an immediate lead from the number two barrier and he held the rail and a length advantage over his nearest challenger at a measured gallop all the way down the back stretch and through the sweep to the home turn. Read more ...

A GOOD LOOKER SCORES A COMPETENT VICTORY (FEBRUARY 1, 2024)

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Sneak Preview ... a gift that keeps on giving.

You would think that would more or less be the sentiments of the David Vandyke stable after Sneak Preview had completed a hat-trick of wins by taking out a BM85 Handicap over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast on January 27.

The eight-year-old is arguably racing at the top of his game making light work of carrying 60kg while keeping younger rivals back in the minor placings.

Queensland top apprentice Cejay Graham has been in the saddle for all three of Sneak Preview’s latest wins (he has twelve wins overall) and her knowledge of the horse certainly played its part in securing the win in a highly pressurised finish in which only 1.40 lengths covered the first seven runners across the line. (Graham, in fact, was in scintillating form on the day, riding four winners on the card).

Graham jumped Sneak Preview (the $3.40 favourite) into third place at the break, a position she held throughout the first half of a slowly run race.

When a couple of riders were not happy with the speed and pushed forward from behind, Sneak Preview went back to fifth place with Graham happy to keep her mount in a holding pattern as the runners took the sweep to the home turn. Read more ...

SNEAK PREVIEW COMPLETES A HAT TRICK OF WINS (JANUARY 27, 2024)

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Last Chance Saloon scored the third win of his career in only eight starts, with his race record also including no less than four runner-up finishes, when he landed a Class 2 Handicap over 1400m at Eagle Farm on January 26.

The Maurice gelding had finished off his previous two-race preparation with a win in a Class 2 Handicap over 1200m at the Gold Coast on December 9 and, second-up here, with ace pilot Michael Rodd in the saddle, the lightly raced four-year-old stepped up the distance test to 1400m and was the medium of fair support at $3.50, being closely locked together on the betting boards with the Tony Gollan trained Boom Shot who ultimately narrowly beat the Vandyke trained runner to favouritism to start marginally shorter at $3.30.

These two runners did in fact contest the finish but, importantly for the Vandyke stable, on the track it was Last Chance Saloon who beat out his more fancied rival to score by a little over a length.

Last Chance saloon landed in a clear lead but was immediately eased but by Rodd to settle slightly worse than midfield in fifth place, some three-and-a-half lengths off the leader, racing alongside Boom Shot as the field went down the back straight. Read more ...

LAST CHANCE SALOON TOO QUICK ON THE DRAW FOR HIS RIVALS (JANUARY 26, 2024)

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The David Vandyke stable pulled a long-priced debut winner out of the bag with Ellibaby upstaging her opposition at a starting price of $14 in a Fillies And Mares Maiden Plate over 1200m at Doomben on January 24.

The three-year-old daughter of Merchant Navy had two satisfactory trials leading into this, her first racing assignment, but she was unwanted in the betting with five horses in the nine horse field at shorter odds than she was with the Tony Gollan trained To Wish the clearcut favourite at $2.40.

Kyle Wilson-Taylor pushed Ellibaby forward from the number seven barrier draw and the Vandyke trained runner was quickly up to third then second place, racing one wide, two lengths off the early leader Ashilla ($8).

Ellibaby held her position, tracking Ashilla all the way to the home turn. Early in the home straight Ellibaby still had those two lengths to make up and she took a while to change gears, but when she did she ranged up alongside Ashilla and quickly put an end to the chances of the early leader. Read more ...

ELLIBABY'S IMPRESSIVE DEBUT WIN (JANUARY 24, 2024)

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The David Vandyke trained Remlaps Angel trounced his eight rivals in no uncertain terms when going to the line a full 3.80 lengths clear of the second placed, $61 outsider, You Kay Squeeze in a Fillies and Mares Maiden Handicap over 1100m at Ipswich on January 21.

The betting certainly suggested the race would come up with that kind of result with Remlaps Angel starting at the very restrictive odds of $1.22 with only two other runners quoted at less than $20.

Remlaps Angel came into the race first-up since her lack-lustre unplaced start at Doomben on September 20. Before that, the daughter of Hellbent had hinted of having some ability on debut where she finished runner-up, less than a length behind the winner, both of her first two starts coming over 1000m.

What a difference four months can make. Read more ...

REMLAPS ANGEL WAS IN A RACE OF HER OWN (JANUARY 21, 2024)

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Deep Tempest made it four wins from only ten starts when he landed a Class 3 Handicap over 1600m at the Sunshine Coast on January 7.

The lightly raced five-year-old had served two long periods away from race action (the nine months from December 2021 to September 2022 ... and fourteen months from September 2022 to November 2023).

He was then quickly back to her winning ways, saluting second-up on November 26 ... beating the subsequent The Wave winner Art’s Object by the narrowest of margins ... before running third to Speed Map, both of those results coming at the Sunshine Coast.

Deep Tempest didn’t fare as well in his next start in town, finishing unplaced, but, coming back to the Sunshine Coast, Deep Tempest just picked up from where he had left off at his home track.

While Deep Tempest did drift from $2.30 to $2.70 in the betting, he still started a clearcut favourite and the David Vandyke trained son of Ocean Park duly got the job done, securing the victory by a 0.40 length margin. Read more ...

DEEP TEMPEST'S POSITIVE WINNING STRIKE-RATE (JANUARY 7, 2024)

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At eight years of age, Sneak Preview continues to be something of an old marvel and his second win in a row, coming in an Open Handicap over 1600m at the Sunshine Coast of January 5, stands as further testimony to that fact.

A winner of his previous start in a BM78 Handicap over 1820m in town (at Eagle Farm), the David Vandyke trained son of Smart Missile came back in distance here and made light work of having to carry 60kg and give weight (from 0.5kg to 5.5kg) to all of his rivals.

Sneak Preview, who started on the second line of betting at $4, went back early, dropping back to last a little over four lengths behind the $2.60 favourite So Dapper who had been taken straight to the lead.

The six runners held their respective positions all the way down the back stretch and through the first half of the sweep to the home turn ... where Sneak Preview now trailed by five lengths.

Cejay Graham had been patience personified on Sneak Preview until the home turn, where she now circled four wide to, what she thought, would be a position where she would have a trouble-free run home. Read more ...

TWO-IN-A-ROW FOR SNEAK PREVIEW (JANUARY 5, 2024)

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Maiden wins don’t arrive in a more decisive manner than this.

The David Vandyke trained Slippin’ Jimmy already had two runs under his belt when he came into a QTIS Three-Year-Old Colts and Geldings Maiden Plate over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast on December 31 ... in which he had given a hint of things to come when placing second on fourth on those two occasions, both times finishing less than a length behind the winner.

His first two races were over 1000m and the son of Pariah certainly took the step up to 1200m in style here winning, as he liked, by a runaway 4.50 length margin as the $1.30 race favourite.

Apprentice Jasper Franklin, whose claim took 2kg off the 60kg that Slippin’ Jimmy was set to carry, immediately sent Slippin’ Jimmy forward from the widest barrier (seven out of seven) and, by the time he had fully crossed his field after the first 100m, Slippin’ Jimmy had already established a two-length advantage at the head of affairs. Read more ...

SLIPPIN' JIMMY SIMPLY TOO SLICK FOR THE OPPOSITION (DECEMBER 31)

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Two days before Christmas the ever-game ‘old-timer’ Sneak Preview gave the David Vandyke stable an early Christmas present when he led his rivals a merry dance over the concluding stages of a BM78 Handicap over 1820m at Eagle Farm on December 23.

This was Sneak Preview’s tenth career win and the pay-check for his effort pushed his career earnings passed the $400 000 barrier, taking it to $408 235.

Sneak Preview had not been at his best in a series of runs from mid-June finishing unplaced on five straight occasions, but there had been a semblance of a form return in his last run leading into this assignment when Sneak Preview finished fourth behind the smart Knight’s Choice over 2000m.

Punters were not convinced, however, and Sneak Preview was allowed to jump at odds of $21, a price the Vandyke runner made a mockery of under a gem of a ride from apprentice Cejay Graham which clearly made a significant contribution to the successful outcome.

From an inside draw, Graham settled Sneak Preview in midfield on the rail early. That position changed to be just worse than midfield ... some six lengths off the lead ... as the field went down the back straight, and Graham continued to bide her time, always saving ground, in the sweep to the home turn. Read more ...

TOO EASY FOR SNEAK PREVIEW AT LONG ODDS (DECEMBER 23)

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The four-year-old gelding Sacred Mission claimed the third win of his career in only his eighth start when he proved to be too strong for his rivals in a Class 3 Handicap over 1650m at Doomben on December 20.

The David Vandyke trained runner was third up here after finishing a close up second, when resuming at Ipswich over 1350m, before finishing third, second-up over 1640m at Doomben ... which translated into two promising runs leading into this latest assignment.

Ryan Maloney, who has been in the saddle for all of Sacred Mission’s runs this preparation, pushed his mount forward from the break and the Vandyke trained runner, the $3.60 second favourite, momentarily matched strides with his market rival Demon Darb ($2.70 favourite) at the head of affairs ... before Maloney eased the son of Sacred Falls into a narrow outright lead going into the first turn.

Taking the field down the back stretch, Sacred Mission increased his lead to a two length margin, travelling at a comfortable gallop, with the balance of the field stretching out behind that.

In the sweep to the home turn, Sacred Mission’s advantage was down to a length from Demon Darb, and these two runners remained the only horses in contention for the race win coming down the home stretch. Read more ...

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED (DECEMBER 20)

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Last Chance Saloon powered home in a pressured finish, under a top ride from Tiffani Brooker, to claim a Class 2 Handicap over 1200m at the Gold Coast on December 9 at the first race meeting held on the new turf racing surface.

The David Vandyke trained gelding was second-up after resuming with a runner-up placing on November 17 over 1110m at Ipswich. He was only just touched off that day and was unlucky not to come away a winner ... but, fitter for that run and increasing the distance from 1110m to 1200m, the four-year-old wasted no time in setting the record straight to claim a second career success.

This latest assignment was to be no ‘gimme’ though.
Sent out on the third line of betting at easy-to-back odds of $4.40, Last Chance Saloon had to call on all of his reserves and fighting qualities to prevail in a close three way go to the line which saw less than half-a-length cover the first three runners past the post.

Brooker took Last Chance saloon back from a wide draw early, settling some four to five lengths off the lead in the early part. She then helped Last Chance Saloon to bring that deficit down to three lengths approaching the home turn in a bunched field ... and she wisely switched Last Chance Saloon out four wide on straightening, leaving him free from the traffic congestion that was taking place inside of him. Read more ...

LAST CHANCE SALOON OUTGUNS THEM AT THE COAST (DECEMBER 9)

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Not only was it his third win in a row, but the latest success of the six-year-old gelding The Face was arguably his best yet as he ran his rivals ragged to score by 2.50 lengths in a Class 6 Plate over 1350m at Doomben on December 2.

The son of Rubick has been a revelation since joining the David Vandyke stable.

The Face only had his first start for the Vandyke stable on October 13 ... and that was a sighter over 1000m ... and he is now already a three-time winner in the Sunshine State, wining twice over 1200m on good going before adding this latest string to his bow by making a successful step up in distance on soft going ... which appears to have opened up more options for the gelding.

There was no serious challenge to The Face on the betting boards with the Vandyke runner on top of the market at $3 with Starzam ($4.80) the only other runner quoted under the $10 mark.

Any thought that jumping from barrier number twelve might boost the chances of the best of his rivals quickly went out of the window when Ben Thompson used The Face’s natural gate-speed to take the Vandyke trained runner into the lead ... but, in the early part, when The Face was held four wide, Thompson measured his forward move ... not rushing, instead happy to just hold the lead and take his time before being able to ease across runners to find the rail position ... this, only after the field had travelled 600m. Read more ...

THE FACE STARES DOWN THE OPPOSITION FOR THE THIRD TIME IN A ROW. WINS WITH EASE (DECEMBER 2)

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A Friday night, Sunday afternoon home track (Sunshine Coast) double on November 24 and November 26 kept the scoreboard rolling along very nicely for the David Vandyke stable.

The Friday night winner came in the form of the three-year-old gelding Lost His Beans who shed his maiden ticket in a QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap over 1000m in his second career start.

It had been a very patient process getting the son of Spill The Beans to race readiness with his first start coming after four trials between February 7 and July 25 ... before Vandyke sent him straight to town to debut over 1200m at Doomben on August 9.

While the trails served their purpose, Spill The Beans did not show to any great advantage in any of those four trials, so he jumped at a starting price of $15 in his debut outing where he raced above market expectations to finish in an eye-catching second place, a little over a length behind the $2.80 favourite Deep Respect (who would go on to win again two starts later).

Lost His Beans then had three-and-a-half month break before taking on this Sunshine Coast assignment where, on the back of his runner-up finish on debut, he started favourite at $2, even though he had to carry the steadying burden of 60kg and give a weight advantage (between 1.5kg and 5kg) to every one of his six rivals. Read more ...

DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR VANDYKE AT THE SUNSHINE COAST (NOVEMBER 24 & 26)

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The Face confirmed his form resurgence when he made it back-to-back wins in a Class 6 Plate over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast on November 18 ... the opening day of the Queensland Summer Carnival ... in the process making it two wins out of three starts since relocating to the David Vandyke stable.

The change of scenery has sparked a new lease of life in the six-year-old who, back in May this year, finished only 2.75 lengths behind Think About It in the Listed Takeover Target.

While Think About It would go on to win no less than the $20 million The Everest five months later, The Face’s two starts subsequent to his Takeover Target run were only ordinary, hence the decision to send the son of Rubick north to the Vandyke yard in search of a change of fortune ... and that move was quick to pay dividends when The Face saluted at Doomben in a Class 3 Plate over 1200m on October 28.

Allowed a neat three week break between runs, Vandyke had The Face lining up again for this Class 6 Plate on his (new) home track on a feature race day in a race in which The Face would show he was primed to perfection for the occasion. Read more ...

THE FACE LANDS A STRONG END-TO-END WIN. THAT'S TWO-IN-ROW NOW (NOVEMBER 18)

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Betterletmedance … a winner at the $15 mark, thank you very much!

Those could well have been the words of trainer David Vandyke who, as he has stated many times, loves the Better Than Ready breeding line, and the influence of that outstanding sire helped the Vandyke stable to another winner with this lightly raced filly who was winning at her fourth career start.

The win came second-up in a QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate over at Doomben on November 15.
In the two starts in her first preparation,

Betterletmedance showed to good advantage in her debut outing, finishing second in a QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap over 1000m at her home track at the Sunshine Coast.

The next run, when stepped up to 1200m, was not as encouraging. Betterletmedance finished unplaced in what would be her second and final run as a two-year-old and she was then given a four-and-a-half month break from racing before resuming on October 29 as a three-year-old … following the same route back into her new campaign as she did when kicking off her two-year-old career by again finishing second over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast in a QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate.

And again, Vandyke targeted a 1200m contest for Betterletmedance second-up, and this time the filly relished the assignment. Read more ...

BETTERLETMEDANCE HITS THE MARK (NOVEMBER 15)
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The hot run of the David Vandyke stable in the second half of October continued on October 29 at the Sunshine Coast where Zaraydah scored a first-up win in a Maiden Handicap over 1000m.

Zaraydah was Vandyke’s sixth winner in twenty starts since October 15 (an impressive thirty percent strike-rate).

Adding further merit to the win was the fact that Zaraydah was resuming after a six-and-a-half month layoff, the fact that the four-year-old mare is still inexperienced with this being only her third career start … and the fact that this performance showed significant improvement on the two results of her previous preparation.

Zaraydah, who had Ben Thompson in the saddle for the first time in race action … Thompson had trialed her earlier in the month … jumped on the third line of betting at $5 behind his more favoured stable companion Commandoro ($2,90) and Targeted ($3). Read more ...

VANDYKE'S HOT STREAK CONTINUES (OCTOBER 29)

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It was a significant win for The Face when the six-year-old Rubick gelding put a third win on his race record by taking out a Class 3 Plate over 1200m at Doomben on October 28, given that you have to go all the way back to January 2021 to find his last win prior to this latest success.

That win came at a time when The Face raced under the care of the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou training partnership and the horse was flying at that time having won twice and finished second three times in his first six career starts … including runner-up finishes in both Listed and Group 3 contests.

But things did not kick on well from there.

In fourteen subsequent starts for the Ryan/Alexiou yard (from June 2021 to April 2023), The Face’s best finish was a second place at Kembla Grange. In fairness, during that time The face did race once in Group 2 company, twice at Group 3 level and twice at Listed level, and he was also sidelined twice over that period … once for four months and later for a full eleven months, which obviously placed an anchor on his progress. Read more ...

THE FACE RETURNS TO WINNING FORM (OCTOBER 28)

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The addition of blinkers and a step up in distance did the trick for the David Vandyke trained, four-year-old gelding Never Give Up who hit the line with a vengeance to claim a Class 1 Handicap win over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast on October 27 … his second career victory.

Never Give Up had won on debut back in March 2023. He then had one more run in which he finished unplaced before being sent to the paddock, only resuming five-and-a-half months later.

His first two runs in this latest preparation produced a fourth and a fifth placed finish … both at long odds ($26 and $12), but the anticipated greater level of fitness gathered from having those two starts … as well the blinkers and increased distance factors … suggested a more forward showing would be forthcoming here.

This time the starting price would be $5 as the third favourite behind Better Yet who topped the betting boards at $3.70.

Jumping from barrier eight, Jimmy Orman was happy to allow the speed to go early and he settled Never Give Up in midfield dropping as much as just under six lengths off the leader as the field went down the back stretch … racing three lengths off the main fancy Better Yet. Read more ...

NEVER GIVE UP LIVES UP TO HIS NAME WHEN CLAIMING A HARD-EARNED VICTORY (OCTOBER 27)

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A new winner in the stable is always very welcome and the lightly raced four-year-old mare Court Whispers ticked that box for the David Vandyke yard when she prevailed in a Maiden Handicap over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast on October 22 in only her second start in her new trainer.

The daughter of Dissident had only two starts for trainer Jarrod Austin before transferring to Vandyke where she was given a trial on September 19, before she made her debut for the Sunshine Coast based trainer in which she finished third, just 1.80 lengths behind the still unbeaten Javada, who would go on to win his next start as well to make it two wins from two starts and frank that form.

Marked up as the $3.70 favourite in her latest assignment, the extreme outside barrier draw was never going to do Court Whispers any favours, but Justin Huxtable had Court Whispers positive out of the gates and he continued to push forward in a measure fashion, taking his time to get where he wanted to be … it did him all of 400m to secure an outright lead … but once Court Whispers had gained the ascendency, she dictated the flow of the race from there and arrived at the point of the home turn a length-and-a-half clear of her nearest rival, the $13 chance Ashilla. Read more ...

COURT WHISPERS GETS THE VERDICT (OCTOBER 22)

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The ‘old’ partnership came up trumps when the David Vandyke trained, Ryan Maloney ridden, Island Tide turned the tide on her fortunes to claim her first career success in a Maiden Plate over 1000m at the sunshine Coast on October 15.

Maloney, who was very much an integral part of the success of several of the Vandyke trained winners over recent years, had been riding in Sydney for the two-and-a-half months since the start of the new season, and his return into the Queensland fold instantly reestablished the trainer-jockey combination’s winning ways.

Island Tide, a four-year-old daughter of All Too Hard, transferred to the Vandyke stable (from David Atkins) in mid-year, bringing a record of three second place and two third place finishes from eight runs with her … and that trend continued in the initial stages with her new stable when she filled the runner-up position in three of her first four starts in Queensland.

The last two results there though … in which she finished less than a length off the winner … did suggest she was getting closer to the win, and that hint of what was to come proved spot on when Island Tide powered home to score in a most convincing style by a 3.50 length margin in this latest assignment.

In fact, it was that easy, there was no stress in it at all … which is what you could justifiably expect from horse marked up as a $1.14 favourite, with the odds of her seven rivals stretching all the way from $11 to $101. Read more ...

'OLD' FIRM IMMEDIATELY BACK IN BUSINESS (OCTOBER 15)

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The David Vandyke stable is seldom without a good horse in its ranks and, while it is still relatively early days in the racing career of the lightly raced four-year-old Beast Mode, there will be plenty of people monitoring the progress of this son of Better Than Ready moving forward after he resumed with a commanding win in a Class 3 Handicap over 1000m at Eagle Farm on September 6 following a five month break from race action.

In what is a Vandyke trademark, Beast Mode has been brought along in a very patient fashion by his trainer which has allowed him to gather race experience in a steady and unrushed fashion, while also building the horses confidence due to the stable’s superb placement of the horse … a combination of factors which has helped Beast Mode take his current record to four wins and two runner-up finishes from only six starts.

The Beast Mode story has an interesting background … even before he stepped out to race for the first time. He started off in the Lee Freedman stable before transferring to the Tony Gollan yard, but he did not race for either trainer before moving again, this time to the David Vandyke stable. Read more ...

BEAST MODE - DOES THE DAVID VANDYKE STABLE HAVE ANOTHER EMERGING STAR ON ITS HANDS (SEPTEMBER 6)

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Training is a tough gig that can takes a person’s emotions to a new level.

When you are not finishing in the money, it can be worrying. When are there, but come up just short it is frustrating ... and, of course, the wonderful world of being a winner and the elation that comes with it is the cure for it all.

The David Vandyke stable went through a lot of that in August.

Orbisyn was the stable’s torch-bearing bringing a bright light to proceedings when securing his third successive win at Doomben on August 19, taking his record to an amazing eight wins from only sixteen starts, underlining just how well the Vandyke team has managed Orbisyn through some very testing times.

On the other side of the coin though, was the so near yet so far story. Read more ...

A HORSE PAYING ITS WAY IS NOT ALL ABOUT WINNING (AUGUST 30)

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Winning can sometimes provide a private pleasure to connections that is far more deep seated than any public fanfare can create.

That would have been the case when the David Vandyke trained Orbisyn made it three wins on the trot at Doomben on Saturday ... the last two of those wins coming at testing Saturday metropolitan meetings when carrying 59.5kg and 60kg, both over the 1110m trip at Doomben.

The back story of Orbisyn has been well documented.

A boom horse early in his career when he came out and thrashed his opposition in no uncertain terms to remain unbeaten in four starts in his first preparation ... the big money offers to purchase that followed ... the possible big race targets that came into focus and then blurred ... the issues ... the setbacks ... all translated into a rollercoaster ride for connections to the point where, at one stage, the chances of an ultimate, positive outcome to Orbisyn story had a very big question mark behind it.

But, while Obisyn had a lot to overcome ... he had two major factors in his favour ... a trainer (David Vandyke) whose sets patience as a high priority and an owner (Jan Mcmillan) with an absolute understanding of the challenge of Orbisyn’s particular situation. Read more ...

ORBISYN'S FORM RIVIVAL - A CASE OF PATIENCE AND PERSEVERENCE FINDING ITS DUE REWARD (AUGUST 19)

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The win of Fast Talking on July 29 ... the David Vandyke stable’s final winner of the 2022/23 season ... arguably summed up the core strength of the stable’s mission statement and their first and foremost aim ... namely that of keeping their horses happy and healthy.

Winning like Fast Talking did, just three days short of turning nine years of age, stands a testament to Vandyke’s inherent expertise in being able to meet those honourable goals, not to mention the obvious pleasure it gives to the stable staff to see a horse like Fast Talking still loving what he does enough to stay as competitive as he is as he heads towards the final stage of his career.

Overall, 2022/23 was a good season for Vandyke Racing.

Vandyke finished sixth on the Brisbane Metropolitan Trainers’ Premiership with a winning strike-rate 0f 15.5 percent, a strike-rate which was only bettered amongst the top twenty trainers in town by the Premiership winner Tony Gollan. Read more ...

DAVID VANDYKE STABLE: THE 2022/23 SEASON WRAP (JULY 31)

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He is a gem isn’t he!

Just three days before turning nine years of age, the David Vandyke trained Fast Talking outgunned his rivals for the eleventh time in his career to land an Open Handicap over 1600m at Eagle farm on July 29.

Only seven races faced the starter with Fast Talking marked up as third favourite at $4.40.

The son of Walking Or Dancing came into the race second-up, after catching the eye when resuming with a close-up third place finish two weeks earlier … in the same class at the same track.

This time, with the benefit of that run and the subtle step up in distance from 1400m to a more preferable 1600m trip (Fast Talking has in fact won up to 2200m), Fast Talking showed the improvement required to be able to add to his list of victories. Read more ...

FAST TALKING STILL WALKING THE WALK (JULY 29)

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While it was a hugely satisfying result, when the David Vandyke trained Orbisyn claimed his first success in eight months at Ipswich on June 30 it was an open question of exactly where his career stood at that time.

For a horse who had kicked off his career with four straight wins, all achieved in an emphatic enough fashion to see him listed in the betting for both The Everest and the Golden Eagle betting markets of that year (2021) before a series of setbacks all but brought the significant momentum he had built up to a halt … that Ipswich win was very important.

The pending question after that was could Orbisyn go on with it.

The answer to that came three weeks later when Orbisyn lined up in a Colts, Geldings and Entires No Metro Win Handicap over 1110m at Doomben on July 22.

Starting at $6, Orbisyn was lumped with the top weight of 59.5kg … meaning he had to give all of his rivals a fair amount of weight (from 3.5kg to 6.5kg) and Vandyke handed the task of implementing the race strategy out on the track to heavyweight jockey Paul Hamblin.

Hamblin had only ridden Orbisyn on one previous occasion … in similar circumstances in which the son of Rich Enuff had to shoulder the steadying burden on 60.5kg … and the duo came out of that one with a victory.

Barrier draw eleven out of twelve wasn’t going to do Orbisyn any favours, but Hamblin immediately took any stress out of that situation by pushing Orbisyn forward in measured fashion from the wide gate, and staying with that forward push until Orbisyn had reached the lead after the field had travelled 300m. Read more ...

ORBISYN TICKS ANOTHER BOX AT DOOMBEN BY SECURING A SECOND SUCCESSIVE VICTORY (JULY 22)

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The five-year-old Hinchinbrook mare So Bene made a winning debut for the David Vandyke stable, taking out a Fillies and Mares Class 1 Handicap over 1350m on July 12, when resuming at Doomben after six-and-a-half month break from race action.

The general perception of So Bene’s prospects going into this race arguable hinged on the believe that she would probably need both the run (in terms of race fitness) and a longer trip (she had placed twice in her last three starts for her previous trainer Andrew Clarken over 2250m and 2500m) … but, under Vandyke’s astute management, So Bene cast aside those doubts in emphatic terms to score well under the steadying burden of 59kg.

Emphatic, because So Bene was given no favours in the race and had to put in an enormous shift to get the job done. Had there been any chink in her armour, So Bene would not have been able to achieve this result in the circumstances she found himself in … but the benefit of the two trials that Vandyke had given her to bring her along leading into the race had obviously worked a treat. Read more ...

SO BENE COMES OUT FIRING (JULY 12)

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A Fillies And Mares Class 1 Handicap over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast on July 9 provided the stage for the David Vandyke trained on Hold to land her second career success.

The Headwater filly came into the race on the back of a runner-up finish in town (at Doomben) following a three-and-a-half week freshen up, and Vandyke allowed her the same gap between races here where she lined up as a joint favourite at $2.70.

Ryan Maloney jumped On Hold well enough but, with the speed coming around him to his outside, Maloney elected to not chase his mount, electing instead to let On Hold find her feet and settle into a comfortable rhythm, which she did, ultimately settled in fifth place … in midfield … some three lengths off the leader.

On Hold held that position until the home turn. A subtle shift out a little wider on the track by Maloney of straightening left On Hold with an uninterrupted run to the line.

From there, On Hold had to tackle the task of landing victory in two parts.

Firstly, she had to reel in the four runners who entered the straight in front of her. That she did in a measured and workmanlike fashion to reach the lead with 180m left to run. Read more ...

ON HOLD SCORES A WELL MEASURED WIN (JULY 9)

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The trials and tribulations … the stories of what might have been both on and off the track … will forever be a part of the racing history of the chestnut gelding Orbisyn … and he added a positive chapter to that tale when he landed his sixth career victory from only fourteen starts in a humble Class 6 Plate over 1200m at Ipswich on June 30.

‘Humble’ because it was not where anyone would have expected the five-year-old son of Ruch Enuff to be at this stage of his career after he blitzed his opposition in his opening four starts, to seeming have the world at his feet before suffering setbacks which significantly slowed his career, but it was still super to see him back in the winner’s enclosure.

Not that it was easy.

Orbisyn ($2.50 favourite) landed in a leading line of three horses and Kyle Wilson-Taylor asked the David Vandyke trained runner to keep pushing forward early … which Orbisyn did on cue to take up the running by a length for the first half of the race.

With Wilson-Taylor taking particular care as to how he rated Orbisyn in the lead, the field packed up behind him in the approach to the home turn, and it was only on straightening that Wilson Taylor sent Orbisyn the message that it was time to ‘go.’ Read more ...

ORBISYN ADDS A POSITIVE CHAPTER TO HIS CAREER HISTORY AS HE CLAIMS HIS SIXTH CAREER VICTORY (JUNE 30)

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What’s Up Honey provided the David Vandyke stable with the first leg of a race-day double when the Better Than Ready filly shed her Maiden ticket in her fourth career start when scoring in a QTIS Three-Year-Old Fillies Maiden Handicap over 1350m at Ipswich on June 30.

It was a nail-biter of a finish with What’s Up Honey, who was easy to back at $6, getting home by the narrowest of margins … under an inch perfect ride by Kyle Wilson-Taylor … to see off the $2.70 favourite Peony Surprise.

What’s Up Honey jumped well from the number one barrier draw, and Wilson-Taylor was happy to settle his mount in third spot, holding the rail, just two lengths off the early leader Sistine Chapel ($13), all the while tracking the favourite who was racing in second place through the first half of the race.

Wilson-Taylor still bided his time throughout the sweep to the home turn with What’s Up Honey going back to fifth place temporarily as the speed came around him … but the filly was still never more than two lengths off the lead.

What’s Up Honey straightened right on the back of Peony Surprise, and when the favourite breezed past Sistine Chapel and set sail for home, Wilson-Taylor duly revved up What’s Up Honey … and the chase was well and truly on. Read more ...

WHAT'S UP HONEY GETS UP IN A LAST STRIDE THRILLER (JUNE 30)

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The David Vandyke trained Colleagues, a lightly raced four-year-old gelding, landed the second win of his career in his ninth start when he took out a Class 1 Handicap over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast on June 16.

The son of Reliable Man was having his fourth start in his latest preparation and, as is often the case with a Vandyke trained runner, he had been building up steadily to being primed to win, having raced over 1200m first-up (after a lengthy ten month layoff), then 1400m second-up before Vandyke further extended the distance test to 1800m third-up with Colleagues giving notice of his improvement with a runner-up finish in that race.

Vandyke sent Colleagues over the same track and distance … and on the same going (a soft 6) … in this latest start.

Jumping as the $2.15 favourite, Kyle Wilson-Taylor immediately put Colleagues in prime position, settled third, then fourth holding the rail position just a little over two lengths off the leader in the early part. Read more ...

COLLEAGUES CRUISES HOME IN UNTROUBLED FASHION (JUNE 16)

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The relief was palpable.

Although a Maiden win is normally just the starting point in any racehorse’s success story, Landsborough Lad’s win in a Maiden Plate over 1200m at Doomben on June 14 felt like much more than that for the David Vandyke stable … in one sense, at least, it certainly had feeling of ‘mission accomplished.’

The reason?

Firstly, the fact that Landsborough Lad had been sidelined for two years (from April 2020 to April 2022) following an horrendous injury … his measured rehabilitation through his recovery process … and all of the care that gone into managing his return to the race track … were factors that all combined to give him special standing in the stable.

Secondly, prior to this win, Landsborough Lad had raced ten times for no less than seven runner-up finishes … twice finishing second three times in a row … and two third places.

Several times before it had been a case of oh so close … but no cigar … with Landsborough Lad finishing within a length of the winner in five of those runner-up finishes. He was also twice only beaten by the narrowest of margins. Read more ...

PATIENCE AND PERSEVERENCE PAYS OFF AS LANDSBOROUGH LAD BECOMES A WINNER (JUNE 14)

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Three runs in … and now it is one win on the board for the David Vandyke trained three-year-old Adalie after she got the chocolates in a Maiden Handicap over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast on June 11.

After an ordinary debut back on May 3 in town at Eagle Farm, the daughter of Exceed and Excel reverted to her home track at the Sunshine Coast where she showed good enough improvement in her second career start to claim a runner-up finish, albeit as a beaten $1.30 favourite when upstaged by a $31 outsider Toosey.

In theory, Adalie did have an excuse there as she had to be pushed out early from a wide, number ten barrier draw before going up to join Toosey, who had led from the break … and then arguably her inexperience counted against her as she chased Toosey all the way down the home straight, seemingly not a hundred percent certain of what was expected of her, although it should also be noted that Toosey did enjoy a 3kg advantage at the weights over the Vandyke trained runner.

Adalie’s third career start was always going to tell us more about where she stood in this early stage of her career. Read more ...

ADALIE'S SLOW BUT SURE IMPROVEMENT (JUNE 11)

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The David Vandyke trained Banana Slide scored a gallant first-up win when taking out a QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap over 1200m on her home track at the Sunshine Coast on May 26.

The daughter of Sebring (out of Let It Slip) had made her debut at Ipswich all the way back in November 2022. She had finished unplaced there and was then given just short of a seven-month break from race action before resuming here as the $3 race favourite.

Her inexperience looked like it might be a factor early on as Banana Slide jumped awkwardly at the break and took a moment or two to balance up, by which time she was back in second last place and already some five lengths off the early chase for the lead.

The filly did settle into stride after that but was still just worse than midfield, with eight horses in front of her and seven lengths off the lead, as the field began the sweep to the home turn, at which stage she had to be checked off heels which again interrupted her progress. Read more ...

BANANA SLIDE GETS THE SPLIT ... AND WINS (MAY 26)

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Trainer David Vandyke landed a metropolitan midweek double at Doomben on May 24 when Sneak Preview and Mintaka Lad gave the stable a hundred percent return of winners to runners on the day.

Sneak Preview, a seven-year-old son of Smart Missile, was relatively easy to back in a BM78 Handicap over 2040m (he would jump at a starting price of $6) with punters seemingly not setting much store by his runner-up finish in his previous start at Rockhampton over 1600m, but a big leap of faith by Vandyke in sending Sneak Preview over the longer trip was about to pay dividends.

Sneak Preview had not raced beyond 1615m before but, under a confident ride by Ryan Maloney, the thirty-seven race veteran never flinched.

Holding the inside line from the break, Maloney let the speed go around him as the field left the home straight for the first time, happy to hold fourth spot some four to five lengths off the lead as Applications ($4) too the field down the back stretch.

Sneak Preview still raced in midfield, with ground to make up, throughout the sweep to the home turn with Maloney yet to move a muscle, saving his mount for his effort. Read more ...

TWO RUNNERS, TWO WINNERS FOR DAVID VANDYKE (MAY 24)

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The lightly raced three-year-old gelding Sacred Mission landed his second career success in only his fourth start when he ran right away from his opposition in a QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap over 2100m at Ipswich on May 17.

The son of Scared Falls had been quick to show his potential when winning on debut back on March 23 and, although he had to settle for a minor placing in his next two starts, those two runs served their purpose as they brought Sacred Mission along, both in terms of fitness and race experience.

What trainer David Vandyke was also doing was to methodically step Sacred Mission up in distance in a measured way.

The debut win had come over 1350m. His second and third starts were over 1600m and 1800m respectively (he finished third and second there, coming home less than half-a-length behind the winner on both occasions) which all led to him lining up for this 2100m contest.,i> Read more ...

SACRED MISSION ON HIS WAY UP (MAY 17)

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If you are an owner or a trainer you would wish everything would come as easily as Bohemian Lad’s win at the Sunshine Coast on May 14 in a QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate over 1000m.

Of course, results seldom come that easy though, so when it does, it is to be enjoyed as the connections of the son of Better Than Ready would have done watching Bohemian Lad … on debut … demolish his opposition, seemingly without any undue effort.

In truth, it was a cakewalk … and punters were onto it early.

Prior to this debut outing, Bohemian Lad had three trials (on December 20, 2022, April 4 and May 2). He won that last trial in very comfortable fashion and was marked up here at the already ‘good thing’ price of $1.90 before shortening in even further to a starting price of $1,45.

Only one other runner was under the $10 mark, another was at $10 itself and one was at $16 … and it was $26 and upwards for the remaining eight runners.

As emphatic as Bohemian Lad’s dominance was on the betting boards, so too was it in the race itself with those who had taken the short odds at no stage having any cause for concern. Read more ...

DEBUT PERFORMANCES DON'T COME MUCH BETTER THAN BOHEMIAN LAD'S STROLL TO VICTORY (MAY 14)

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The David Vandyke trained Weona Smartone has always been a very useful racehorse.

Or maybe that is an understatement.

Afterall, after getting the feel of things when beaten on debut, the son of Shamexpress did win his next eight starts in a row, going from Maiden winner to an Open Handicap winner over the course of three preparations which left him unbeaten for thirteen months (from December 2021 to January 2022).

That winning sequence was broken with his fifth placed finish behind Niedorp in an Open Handicap on January 29, 2022, after which Weona Smartone was away from race action for a full seven and a half months before resuming … and resuming his winning ways with a solid win in a $100 000 Quality Open Handicap at Doomben on September 10.

The next run … a third place finish on October 1 … was just a sighter for his upcoming Sydney campaign in which Weona Smartone would be asked to step up into the hotter cauldron of Group company, hitting the big time in the $2 million Sydney Stakes. Read more ...
WEONA SMARTONE: SO CLOSE TO HITTING THE BULLS-EYE IN THE ARCHER (APRIL 30)

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Wins don’t come much narrower ... or tougher ... than the 0.10 lengths victory achieved by the David Vandyke trained Ruinart in a BM58 Handicap over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast on April 14.

Ruinart had previously won first-up for the Vandyke stable on November 1, 2022 ... in Maiden company ... after transferring from trainer John O’Shea, after which she was rested before kicking off his latest preparation in a BM65 contest on February 26 in which she finished unplaced.

Both of those runs for her new stable were over 1000m and she had a third crack at that distance in her second-up start, showing the fitness benefit taken from her pervious run to post a runner-up finish in a BM68 Handicap on March 26, finishing 2.30 lengths behind Highland Son (who would win again next time out).

Next, Vandyke raised the distance bar to 1200m for her third-up run in another BM68 Handicap on April 14, again at the Sunshine Coast where all of her runs for Vandyke to date had taken place.

Ruinart, with Nikita Beriman in the saddle, wasn’t really able to take any advantage from the number two barrier draw as a fairly hectic chase went on early with four runners vying for the early lead. Read more ...

RUINART PREVAILS BY A WHISKER (APRIL 14)

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Another David Vandyke trained runner shed his Maiden ticket at Doomben on April 12 when the lightly raced three-year-old Dark Chill saluted in a QTIS three-year-old Maiden Plate over 1660m.

Punters, again, saw this one coming with Dark Chill going off at a starting price of $1.85.

That was not surprising given Dark Chill’s performances in the lead up to this race ... which was only his third career start.

Coming straight to town, Dark Chill finished a creditable enough fourth on debut when beaten 2.21 lengths by Boom Shot over 1200m at Doomben on March 8 ... and then the son of Dawn Approach posted an improved result when finishing second to Old Song, this time when stepping up the distance to 1650m on heavy going ... again at Doomben ... which was a fair pass mark for an inexperienced runner tackling both a distance and a track surface over which he had not competed before.

So, it was back to Doomben again for his third start ... this time for the win! Read more ...

DARK CHILL JUSTIFIES THE SHORT-PRICED ODDS APRIL 12)

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It had been a while coming, but when it arrived on April 2 in a Maiden Plate over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast the first career win of the David Vandyke trained Mintaka Lad was delivered in rousing fashion as the three-year-old son of Deep Field comprehensively trounced his field putting five lengths of daylight between himself and the runner-up.

Up until this stage, which was only his second start, Mintaka Lad had more trials than races behind his name dated back to October 2022.

A trail win in October was followed by another trail win in November as Vandyke brought Mintaka Lad along slowly before giving him his first taste of race action on December 9 in a three-year-old Maiden Handicap over 1200m, going straight to town at Doomben ... a race in which he finished third, 4.50 lengths behind the Chris Waller trained Olentia.

While that result was arguably a touch disappointing at first glance (Mintaka Lad did start as a $3.10 second favourite), Olentia, the winner there, franked that form by winning again next time out by 4.80 lengths in a Class 1 at Eagle Farm.

Following his debut run, Mintaka Lad was allowed a four-month layoff from race action ... and another two trials ... and when he came out for this run on April 2, he was all the rage in the betting, starting at the prohibitive odds of $1.55. Read more ...

MINTAKA LAD EMBARRASSES HIS OPPOSITION (APRIL 2)

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The David Vandyke trained Fast Talking ($5.50) overcame the task of carrying the steadying burden of 59kg when he outgunned the race favourite Southern Stock and the $5 chance Warp Sped in a three-way battle to the line in BM90 Handicap over 2200m at Doomben on April 1.

Vandyke is doing marvels with this eight-year-old son of Walking Or Dancing who was having his fifty-first start here, keeping the gelding’s appetite for success alive to the degree that he was able to give the runner-up Southern Stock 5.5kg and the third placed Warp Speed 5kg at the weights ... and beat them home by 0.57 length beating 0.59 lengths respectively.

This was Fast Talking’s fourth run in this latest preparation in which Vandyke had gradually raised the race distance for the gelding ... from the 1350m (first-up when placed fourth only 1.50 lengths off the winner), to 1600 (and a second place), to 1800m (and a third place finish) ... and then on to this 2200m trip.

With the exception of the first-up run where Fast talking was partnered by Jim Byrne, Vandyke entrusted Kyle Wilson-Taylor with the reins in all of the subsequent three starts. Read more ...

FAST TALKING STILL THRIVING AS AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD (APRIL 1)

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On March 31, the David Vandyke stable rounded off a highly successful month in style when Asteria saluted in a Maiden Plate over 1100m at Ipswich.

You could almost set your clock by this tried and tested scrip.

A horse transfers from a stable down south to the warmer pastures of the Vandyke stable, is thoroughly assessed and well prepped with a couple of trials to make it race ready where it usually comes out at short-priced odds ... and wins!

Not that it gets boring if you are a follower of the Vandyke stable and, yet again, there was no deviation from the plan, or the outcome, with Asteria never being troubled at any stage as she cruised in by a comfortable 1.50 length margin at the restrictive odds of $1.45.

And it was an easy watch from the moment the field left the barriers.

Asteria jumped best of all with Jim Byrne immediately showing his intent to lead and, such was Asteria’s gate speed that she already had opened up a three length margin at the head of affairs after the field had only covered 200m ... and she continued to widen her advantage. Read more ...

ASTERIA RUNS HER RIVALS RAGGED (MARCH 31)

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Isles of Avalon made no mistake second-up for the David Vandyke stable when she shed her Maiden ticket in comfortable style, taking out a Maiden Plate over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast on March 26.

The four-year-old mare had relocated to the Vandyke stable after three runs for trainer Andrew Noblet and the daughter of Toronado trialled twice in February before making her debut for her new stable in a Maiden Handicap over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast on March 3.

First-up after a six month break from race action, Isles of Avalon ($4.80) attempted to make all of the running that day, but never had a moment’s peace in front, initially heading a hectic early chase for the lead, then having a wall of runners snapping at her heels throughout the middle sector of the race with the pressure only increasing in the home straight where she was faced with challenges on all sides.

Isles Of Avalon was ever so game, but one of the swoopers, Everlasting Stars ($41), finished over the top of the Vandyke trained runner in the final strides to push Isles Of Avalon back into second place in an absolute pressurised finish which saw only a little over a length cover the first six horses across the line.

Three weeks later ... in the March 26 contest ... it would be a different story.

ISLES OF AVALON SHOWS HER RIVALS A CLEAN PAIR OF HEELS TO CLAIM HER FIRST CAREER VICTORY (MARCH 26)

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After victories at Doomben and Ipswich on March 22 and March 23 (with He’s The Ultimate and Sacred Mission respectively), the David Vandyke stable produced a winner for the third day in a row when Never Give Up became yet another stable runner who had been primed well enough to win on debut with the Heroic Valour gelding saluting on debut in a Maiden Handicap over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast on March 24.

The now three-year-old had been given one trial as a two-year-old (all the way back in March 2022) and three further trials as a three-year-old before being given the green light to move to race action.

In the last of those trials, on February 21, Never Give Up had beaten Sacred Mission home by a length and, although a trial is a trial and not a race, there was enough to like about that effort, particularly after Sacred Mission came out subsequent to that and won his first start, so it was no real surprise to see Never Give Up start as a clear favourite at $2.70. Read more ...

NEVER GIVE UP SHRUGS OFF OPPOSITION TO SCORE WELL (MARCH 24)

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Patience, as ever, is a virtue in racing and trainer David Vandyke got an early reward for the patience he had shown when bringing the New Zealand bred Sacred Mission along in the formative stages of his career as a racehorse, when the three-year-old son of Sacred Falls (he did not race as a two-year-old) saluted on debut in a Maiden Plate over 1350m at Ipswich on March 23 ... but it was oh so close!

Sacred Mission (the $2.80 favourite) was well enough away at the break but then went back to settle into sixth and then fifth place as the field went down the back straight.

Although always saving ground after jumping from the number two barrier stall, Sacred Mission was still all of six lengths off the lead halfway through the sweep to the home turn with his market rival Chicane racing just to his outside.

That deficit was down to four lengths on straightening, but Jim Byrne had Sacred Mission under a hard ride with still plenty of work to do at that stage. Read more ...

SACRED MISSION PREVAILS ... BUT ONLY JUST! (MARCH 23)

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He’s The Ultimate, a four-year-old gelding having his third start since transferring to trainer David Vandyke from the Peter Moody stable, scored a hard-fought win under the steadying burden on 59kg when he prevailed in a Class 3 Handicap over 1640m at Doomben on March 22.

The son of Fastnet Rock had finished in fourth and sixth place in his previous two starts for the Vandyke stable, but those runs came after an eleven month break from race action so they really translated into a race fitness building exercise and so he was expected to show progressive improvement here, but his resolve was really testing in a driving finish.

He’s The Ultimate, who jumped as the second favourite at $3.90, was comfortably away at the break and duly settled in a reasonably close-up fourth placing, just a little over two lengths off the leader, Greek Star ($8.50), in the early part of the race.

Saving ground throughout, Ryan Maloney eased He’s The ultimate up into third place as the runners took the sweep to the home turn. He was still those two lengths behind Greek Star on straightening with the favourite Moveitmoveit ($3.30) to his outside, threatening to keep He’s The Ultimate in a pocket. Read more ...

HE'S THE ULTIMATE FULLY TESTED BUT IS GOOD ENOUGH TO LAND THE ODDS IN A PRESSURED FINISH (MARCH 22)

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It had been an uncharacteristic long time between drinks, by trainer David Vandyke’s standards at least, but, after a very quiet February, the stable was back in the winners’ enclosure on March 12 with the win of Last Chance Saloon in a Maiden over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast.

While the win might have come with a measure of relief, it also came with a good dose of promise for the future, courtesy of the impressive manner in which the lightly raced son of Maurice delivered the first win of his career.

The three-year-old was first-up, in only his second career start, after no less than a nine month layoff.

Last Chance Saloon had debuted back on June 5 over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast where he finished fourth, just under two lengths off the winner Rose of Shiraz. Between that and this first-up run, he had trialled on three occasions at his home base on the Sunshine Coast ... trialling in November, December and February in a fairly ordinary fashion.

He had clearly kept his game face for race action itself though, as he displayed with a eye-catching come from behind effort that brought his opponents to their knees over the concluding stages of the race. Read more ...

LAST CHANCE SALOON SERVES UP A WINNING RECIPE (MARCH 12)

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Replenishing your stable stock is no easy task for a trainer.

It is never about numbers, but rather it is all to do with sourcing quality racehorses and therein lies a problem of its own. Quality bloodstock attracts a larger and more affluent buying audience which significantly increases the competition in terms of being able to secure the horse ... or horses .., that are on a trainers ‘wanted’ list.

The bottom line is that a trainer always needs to be busy on several fronts to be able to weave a winning plan together and, while things were moving uncharacteristically slowly on the track in terms of winners for the David Vandyke stable for a time, Vandyke was a winner in terms of sales ring activity, landing several runners that had taken his eye.

Welcome new additions to the stable include:

A Better Than Ready – Where It Began filly.

A full sister to the David Vandyke trained Beast Mode, who won all three starts in his first preparation, so it was a no-brainer that Vandyke would target this horse. Better Than Ready is Vandyke’s absolute favourite stallion and Where It Began (who is by Exceed And Excel) has had two runners, both winners (Beast Mode, three wins to date ... and the six-time winner Better Than Gold).

“She is bigger and taller than Beast Mode,” said Vandyke. “Beautiful type. I love the Better Than Readys. They won the Magic Millions this year (with Skirt The Law). I was very excited to get her. I thought we would probably have to pay more. She was very much a target of ours.” Read more ...

WINNING IN THE SALES RING (FEBRUARY 28)

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David Vandyke’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks winner, Gypsy Goddess, has been sold as a broodmare and will relocate to Japan where she will join another former David Vandyke runner, now broodmare, Yankee Rose, who won the Queensland Horse Of The year title for the 2015/16 season.

Gypsy Goddess, the winner of the National Champion Three-Year-Old Filly title for 2021-22 and the Queensland Three-Year-old Horse Of The year for the same season, has taken the Vandyke team on a thrilling ride since she first walked into the stable.

The fact that she looked ordinary early, and showed little in relative terms at that time, probably enhanced the wonder of the journey that followed.

From winning on debut, when unwanted in the betting at $26, to making it a perfect four from four in her first prep which culminated in a Group 3 victory in The Grand Prix stakes ... to then extending that winning sequence to five when saluting again first-up ... it was already the stuff that dreams are made of.

But what was to follow took her performance to another level. Read more ...

SAYING GOODBYE TO GYPSY (JANUARY 27)

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My Snow Queen made it two wins from three starts since relocating to the David Vandyke stable when she saluted in a BM70 contest over 1200m at Doomben on January 25.

The four-year-old daughter of Star Turn, who had previously raced for trainers John Sargent and John Smerdon, had won first-up for the Vandyke stable on December 24 (eleven days after winning a trial).

That win came at Beaudesert in a Class 2 over 1200m, a result which was difficult to assess, given that Mount Fuji, the horse she beat by 0.20 lengths, had not won for over a year.

My Snow Queen’s follow-up run ... in which she finished third in a Class 3 Handicap over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast (her home track) again produced a fair enough result on paper as she finished only two lengths behind the winner He Knows ... but, fair to say, the jury was still out.

As with almost all of the horses that Vandyke takes on after they have already seen some race action, the expectation of improvement is there ... and My Snow Queen certainly found that when competing in her latest assignment at Doomben. Read more ...

MY SNOW QUEEN TAKES A PROGRESSIVE STEP (JANUARY 25)

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You could say the David Vandyke trained Street Dancer deserved better ... but, then again, sentiment is not a factor in performance or results.

The striking chestnut son of Pride Of Dubai came to the Magic Millions race-day at the Gold Coast on January 19 on the back of a runner-up finish (behind Irish Playboy) in the Magic Millions Shoot Out over 2020m at Doomben on December 31.

In that race Street Dancer hit the front at the 200m mark but failed to match Irish Playboy’s effort over the final 150m, nevertheless earning a highly creditable second placing which was her sixth second or third placed finish (along with four wins) in thirteen starts he had for the Vandyke stable up until that stage.

With that consistency, Vandyke was looking for a big reward for Street Dancer, who he had primed to race in the $1 million Subzero over 2200m.

The open nature of this contest was reflected in the betting with the Chris Waller trained favourite Bigboyroy still easy to back at $5.50. Street Dancer was quoted at $11. Read more ...
SO NEAR AND YET SO FAR FOR STREET DANCER (JANUARY 19)

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The Better Than Ready gelding Beast Mode kept his perfect record intact when he completed a hat trick of wins by taking out a BM68 Handicap over 1000m at Eagle Farm on January 4.

This was Beast Mode’s first visit to town, but the good impression he made when landing successive wins prior to this race ensured that he would start favourite for the contest at the prohibitive price of $1.85.

With Martin Harley, who had ridden the three-year-old to both of his previous victories, again in the saddle, Beast Mode landed midfield at the break, but he was quickly pushed forward by Harley to settle in second place, a length-and-a-half off Al Pal’s Gal, who had raced into an immediate lead.

Harley moved Beast Mode closer in the approach to the turn, having Beast Mode perfectly poised to strike on straightening. Read more ...

BEAST MODE MAINTAINS HIS PERFECT RECORD (JANUARY 4)

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My Snow Queen, a four-year-old mare trained by David Vandyke, saluted first-up for her new stable in her first start following a four-and-a-half month layoff from race action when taking out a Class 2 Handicap over 1200m at Beaudesert on December 24.

The daughter of Star Turn had previously had thirteen starts for trainer John Sargent (for one win) before being transferred to the John Smerden stable where she had another three starts (for another win) before moving on again, this time to join the David Vandyke yard.

My Snow Queen won a trial on December 13 in preparation for her first-up run and that showing, combined with Vandyke’s reputation of improving horses when they come into his stable, was enough to see My Snow Queen installed a $2.30 favourite for the Beaudesert contest.

My Snow Queen carried 59kg, conceding from 0.5kg to 4.5kg to her eight rivals, but jockey Matthew Powell had no hesitation in putting the Vandyke trained runner right up on the speed, settling in a very prominent second place in the running as Exlover ($16) set a speed up front which stretched the field out behind the first two runners. Read more ...

MY SNOW QUEEN RULES AT BEAUDESERT (DECEMBER 24)

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The David Vandyke trained Beast Mode made it two wins from two starts when he dominated a Class 1 Handicap over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast on December 11.

The three-year-old son of Better Than Ready had started at $6 when winning on his debut sixteen days earlier, but there was no such generosity from the bookmakers this time around with Beast Mode being firmly entrenched at the top of the betting boards being quoted at the restrictive odds of $1.55 ... backed in from $1.90.

But even that turned out to be good odds for an easy winner.

Jockey Martin Harley, who was having his first ride for the Vandyke stable, never put a foot wrong on the favourite.

It helped that he had a willing ally in Beast Mode who produced impressive gate speed when asked to do so to easily cross his field from the worst of the draw (eleven out of eleven) and spear into an immediate lead.

Once there, Harley allowed Beast Mode to dictate the race at a more measured gallop, half backing up the field as he travelled comfortably, maintaining a lead of just over a length throughout the sweep to the home turn. Read more

BEAST MODE LOOKS A PROMISING HORSE IN THE MAKING (DECEMBER 11)

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The David Vandyke trained Street Dancer prevailed in a highly pressurised finish to take out a Quality Open Handicap over 2000m at Doomben on December 3, scoring in a pulsating conclusion to the race in which only 0.85 lengths separated the first four runners across the line.

Street Dancer was third-up here, extending the distance test to 2000m after having his first-up and second-up runs over 1350m and 1600m respectively.

He finished just a little over a length back in both of those two starts and, with his last win having come over 2200m, a big effort was expected here but, at a starting price of $3.40, Street Dancer did have two market rivals in the form of Aussie Nugget ($3.20) and Greek Hero ($3.90).

While neither of those opponents would prove a stumbling point to Street Dancer, the Vandyke trained chestnut son of Prince Of Dubai did have his work cut out in getting the better of two horses at double figure odds ... Tears Of Love ($11) and Karmazone ($26).

Michael Cahill jumped Street Dancer into the lead from the number one barrier draw at the break and then was happy to go back to second and then third as Tears Of Love and Stardome ($16) went around him as the field left the straight for the first time.

Cahill was happy to keep Street Dancer at a comfortable gallop in third place, saving ground just two lengths off the leader, all the way down the back straight and through the sweep to the home turn. Read more ...

STREET DANCER SCORES A HARD FOUGHT WIN (DECEMBER 3)

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Beast Mode, a three-year-old Better Than Ready gelding, made no mistake on debut when striding out to an impressive debut win in a QTIS Three-year-Old Maiden Plate over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast on November 27.

The David Vandyke trained runner had trialled twice to good effect earlier in the month, but he still came into the race as a highly backable $6 chance, with his starting price probably exaggerated due to the presence of the highly fancied $2.60 favourite Northern Pride from the Tony Gollan stable.

Vandyke had turned to jockey Martin Harley, a new arrival in the Queensland riding ranks, for this one and Harley, as he has done since he arrived in the state, proved a more than capable rider as he bounced Beast Mode out strongly from a very wide draw and straight into contention in the leading line of runners ... and it didn’t take him long after that to pushed Beast Mode into a narrow lead, racing just outside another Gollan trained runner Blue Spinel, the $4.80 second favourite. Read more ...

BEAST MODE SCORES AN EASY WIN ON DEBUT (NOVEMBER 25)

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The David Vandyke trained Dubai Dee landed her first career win in only her third career start when she scored basically an end-to-end win in a Maiden Plate over 1650m at Doomben on November 16.

The lightly raced four-year-old son of Prince Of Dubai has been a work in progress since having her first official trial all the way back in July 2021 … with her debut run being delayed until January 19, 2022, after which she was away from race action for another full nine months before resuming again with an eighth place finish at Eagle Farm on October 26.

That run was over 1200m and Vandyke quickly stepped up the distance test to 1650m for her second-up start here and, with the advantages of having that first-up run under her belt and chasing over a longer trip, Dubai Dee seemed to relish the challenge.

Most punters seemed to be waiting for her to show something first before getting on her … and those who were missed the boast as the Vandyke horses seldom go around at double figure odds, but that was the case here with Dubai Dee starting at $10. Read more ...

DUBAI DEE WINS AT JUICY ODDS FOR A VANDYKE RUNNER (NOVEMBER 16)

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The six-year-old gelding Jakkalberry Finn made it three winners for the weekend for the David Vandyke stable when he saluted at the Sunshine Coast in a Class 3 Handicap over 1800m on November 6.

Racing first-up at generous odds of $6, Jakkalberry Finn was taken right back to last from a wide draw by Ben Thompson at the jump and he raced all of six lengths off the speed early.

He was then up to second last, five lengths off the leader in the start of the sweep to the home turn.

You could make that four lengths at the point of the turn where Jakkalberry Finn was now swinging four wide and making ground, carrying good momentun. Read more ...

JAKKALBERRY FINN'S CONSISTENCY IS REWARDED (NOVEMBER 6)

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A city double is always a good result … and when that double success arrives on a Saturday it is even better.

That’s what trainer David Vandyke achieved on November 5 at Doomben when Amity Gal and Without Revenge saluted in a BM70 Handicap over 1200m and in a Class 3 Plate over 1640m respectively.

As has been well documented, Amity Gal is a full sister to the dual Group 1 winner Duais (who won the 2021 Queensland Oaks and the 2022 Australia Cup), and thus her progress was always going to be closely watched, particularly after she came out and won well on debut.

She did take another four runs before posting her second victory, but she has not looked back since then, having won three of her last four starts, since resuming after a five month break away from race action.

And this one was relatively easy. Read more ...

AMITY GAL, WITHOUT REVENGE BOTH IMPRESS IN TOWN (NOVEMBER 5)

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It is a pattern which has been repeated so many times before … a horse relocates to the David Vandyke stable and wins first-up for its new trainer.

This time the horse in question was the Hallowed Crown mare, Ruinart, who transferred from the John O’Shea stable having finished second in four of her previous eights starts … so the win was certainly pending.

Just shy of a month after her last run for O’Shea, Ruinart took on took on thirteen rivals in her stable debut when contesting a BM55 Handicap over 1300m at the Sunshine Coast.

Still a Maiden, Ruinart was easy to back at $12, in spite of the fact that she had that hint of form and was jumping from barrier number one.

As it was, any barrier advantage was minimized at the start when Ruinart took some time to muster speed, and she was still all of seven lengths back halfway through the sweep to the home turn.

Powell had held the rail position though and that helped Ruinart save ground on the turn … and thankfully a clear inside run opened up for the four-year-old on straightening, allowing the Vandyke trained runner to make steady ground. Read more ...

RUINART WINS IN HER FIRST START IN QUEENSLAND (NOVEMBER 1)

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The $10 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill on October 29 had always been the aim for Gypsy Goddess.

It was to be her Grand Final without any preliminary … a strategy devised by trainer David Vandyke to keep the freshness in the legs of his Group 1 Queensland Oaks winner in order to give her the edge she would need if she was going to be competitive over 1500m … a distance notably short of her best trip.

That plan came to fruition in stunning fashion … and, no, it was not a winning result … but a cool padding out of the bank balance to the tune of $1 million for third place thank you very much!

You can’t go back … and why would you with a million dollars won in your back pocket … but there always remains a tale of what might have been as Gypsy Goddess’s low barrier draw combined with that freshness in her legs, allowed the daughter of Tarzino to get a great run in transit, not far off the speed, but it also dictated an inside run for her down the home stretch,
whereas arguably the centre of the track was where you would ultimately have liked to see her.

Not that she ever shirked the task. Read more ...

GYPSY GODDESS GIVES HER CONNECTIONS A MILLION REASONS TO SMILE (OCTOBER 29)

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While the centre of the David Vandyke training universe was focused on Rosehill on October 29, where Gypsy Goddess was running in the $10 million Golden Eagle and Weona Smartone was contesting the $3 million Nature Strip Stakes, the stable was also taking care of business back home and they added to their winning tally when Skins’s claimed his sixth career success when taking out an Open Handicap over 1200m at the Gold Coast.

Skins’ form had dropped off in the second half of his previous preparation, but his first-up form has always been sound (two wins and two places from four first-up starts going into this race) and so there was strong confidence about his chances when he resumed following a three month break from race action … confidence enough to see him start outright favourite at odds of $1.95.

Robbie Fradd placed Skins in third place early on, allowing the son of Sepoy to lope along a couple of lengths off the lead … a position he held all of the way to the home turn. Read more ...

SKINS KEEPS THE HOME FIRES BURNING FOR VANDYKE (OCTOBER 29)

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Life is good for trainer David Vandyke.

There is just no downside to his position of having runners in both the $10 million Golden Eagle and the $3 million Nature Strip Stakes, which are carded as consecutive races at Rosehill card on Saturday.

Fair to say though that, win lose or draw, the excitement of that particular sixty minutes of racing for the astute trainer and the connections of Gypsy Goddess and Weona Smartone will have hairs standing on end.

And, like his horses, Vandyke is ready for that moment.

“I don’t get nervous unless I have a short-priced favourite,” said Vandyke, “and both of my horses are at double figure odds, so the pressure is off.

“But, gee, yes … I do feel fortunate to have a runner in the two biggest races in Sydney on Saturday. Read more ...

A TALE OF THE GODDESS AND THE SMARTONE (OCTOBER 27)

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The David Vandyke trained Orbisyn earned a pass mark when he won first-up in a Class 4 Handicap over 1100m at Ipswich on October 19.

And that was all the stable wanted to see.

This was not the time to light up the formline … hopefully those sparks will come later … but rather this was a run designed to ease the well performed son of Rich Enuff back into competitive racing after a four month break from race action.

First-up, carrying 60.5kg, giving a weight advantage to all seven of his rivals over a distance probably short of his best arguably turned his comeback outing very much into a test run, and so a win in any circumstances would have been a satisfactory result … and he duly achieved that.

The record books will show that Orbisyn, who was solidly supported as the $1.90 favourite, only got home by a fast diminishing 0.20 length margin at the line from his only market rival Shamaton ($3.80) … but that was enough to take his race record to five wins from only seven starts and you can’t argue with that. Read more ...

ORBISYN IS BACK IN THE GAME (OCTOBER 19)

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The David Vandyke trained Weona Smartone undoubtedly faced the biggest test of his career which he stepped out in the $2 million Sydney Stakes over 1200m at Randwick on October 15.

The betting, with Remarque topping the boards at $4.80 and In The Congo and Waihaha Falls next best at $6, indicated a reasonable open race.

Weona Smartone, who came into the race third-up after a win over 1110m at Doomben and a third place finish at Eagle Farm over 1000, jumped as a $19 chance in the hands of apprentice Kyle Wilson-Taylor, for whom the race represented a massive opportunity.

It was Wilson-Taylor's first ride in Sydney. It was a Group 3 … but if there were any nerves on his part in a theatre in which he would be forgiven for feeling intimidated, he did not show them at all.

Instead, he and the well-prepared Weona Smartone, who, remember, was also in new surroundings, went about their business with absolute professionalism … from the very first stride out of the gates. Read more ...

WEONA SMARTONE SHINES IN GROUP 3 COMPANY (OCTOBER 15)

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A week ago, he was kicking his heels as the awaited the end of his suspension … now he is licking his lips at the prospect of chasing a Group 3 race win in Sydney on Everest race-day.

It’s already been a big week for Kyle Wilson-Taylor after that period of frustration when he was sidelined with suspensions he had accumulated which kept him out of race riding from September 12 until his returned last Saturday (with a winner) … and it could get bigger still.

While those suspensions also brought a touch of relief in that it temporarily released the pressure valve of competition which Wilson-Taylor tackles with admirable intensity and commitment … not to mention the demands he places on himself … the lengthy ‘time-out’ felt like an eternity for the young jockey who just wants to ride.

When he attended the Racing Queensland Awards function on Sunday night, Wilson-Taylor could reflect with plenty of pride and pleasure at his achievements thus far which saw him receive two notable awards … the Metropolitan Apprentice Jockey’s Premiership and the Ken Russell Queensland Apprentice Of The Year.

It was at that Awards function that a conversation led to big change in direction in his plans for this Saturday. Read more ...

KYLE WILSON-TAYLOR WILL PARTNER WEONA SMARTONE IN A GROUP 3 CONTEST IN SYDNEY ON EVEREST DAY (OCTOBER 13)

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A perfect home-track double for trainer David Vandyke was the order if the day at the Sunshine Coast on October 7 when the stable’s only two runners Without Revenge and Absolute Charmer both saluted on the day.

Without Revenge is an interesting runner. Imported from Britain where he raced eleven times for two wins, the son of Muhaarar’s overseas career encompassed races over distances from 1600m to 2414m and so resuming here over 1400m in a Class 4 Handicap was always going to be a local debut that would garner some interest.

It would be no less than a year between runs for Without Revenge, but the bookmakers had little doubt about the level of respect they needed to show the Vandyke trained runner, marking him up at $1.70 after he had won his last trial leading into the race. Read more ...

A PERFECT HOME TRACK DOUBLE FOR DAVID VANDYKE (OCTOBER 7)

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It had taken three trials stretching over a period from November 16, 2021 to September 20, 2022 to get the three-year-old bay filly Matriarch Rose to the point was trainer David Vandyke was prepared to give her the green light to go racing and, as has been proved so many times before, the trainer’s judgement proved to be spot on as the daughter of Epaulette won well on debut.

That win came on October 6 at Ipswich over 1350m in a QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap … and what an amazing win it was! Read more ...

HOW GOOD WAS THIS WIN BY MATRIARCH ROSE !!! (OCTOBER 5)

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The four-year-old I Am Invincible gelding Smytzer scored his first victory since transferring to the David Vandyke stable when he saluted in a Class 1 Plate over 1600m at the Sunshine Coast on September 28.

Smytzer won on debut for trainer Peter Moody back on April 23, 2021, but he failed to add to his winning total in his next seven starts between August 2021 and June 2022, after which it was decided that the horse would be transferred to the Vandyke stable.

The first three runs for David Vandyke resulted in a sixth place finish and two runner-up results with the astute trainer gradually increasing the distance test each time … from 1200m to 1350m to 1500m … before taking it to 1600m for this latest assignment.

Ryan Maloney went looking for the lead on Smytzer (the $2.80 second favourite) from the break, but he did so in a measured manner so that when he did take control of the race from the front after the field had travelled 300m, he had got there in a comfortable fashion. Read more ...

SMYTZER ON THE SCOREBOARD FOR DAVID VANDYKE (SEPTEMBER 28)

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After returning with a sound victory at Eagle Farm on September 7 in her first-up run following a five month break away from race action, Amity Gal had no difficulty in making it back-to-back wins, cruising to her second successive victory by 2.30 lengths in a Class 2 Handicap over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast on September 25.

The daughter of Shamus Award, who started at the prohibitive odds of $1.70, jumped from barrier 9 in the ten horse field and she was gently eased across into a narrow lead by Ryan Maloney, settling one off the fence alongside Preach ($4.80) who raced along her inside. Read more ...

AMITY GAL WINS IN CRUISE CONTROL (SEPTEMBER 25)

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‘On hold no longer’ … that could be opening words of the first report-back following the three-year-old filly On Hold’s entry into race action after the David Vandyke trained daughter of Headwater earned a winning debut result when scoring by a neat length in a Fillies And Mares Maiden Handicap over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast on September 18.

Vandyke had given On Hold two trials leading into her first assignment … the first on July 26 (which she won) and the second on August 9 (in which she finished second) with her showings in those two hit-outs being enough for her to be sent out at a prohibitive starting price of $1.95 for her taste of action.

Short odds, maybe, but, when the result was in the frame, you wouldn’t have wanted to be on anything else.

After the field broke evenly from the barriers, Ryan Maloney pushed On Hold forward, emerging from a pack of runners to take up the lead in the early part.

The $26 outsider Perovskaya, racing on the fence, kept On Hold one wide though and Maloney was happy to allow Perovskaya to sneak into a narrow lead in the sweep to the home turn, but all the while keeping On Hold in close attendance, right there, ready to strike when it mattered. Read more ...

ON HOLD SCORES ON DEBUT (SEPTEMBER 18)

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The very lightly raced, David Vandyke trained Deep Tempest scored a notable first-up win in a Class 1 Handicap over 1350m at Doomben on September 14.

Notable, in the first instance, because the four-year-old son of Ocean Park had been away from race action for a full nine months and was returning over a distance that should prove to be short of his best … and secondly, because of the commitment he showed to keep his head in front a highly pressurized finish.

Stephanie Thornton immediately had Deep Tempest (a joint $3.90 favourite) in the leading line at the break after which she was happy to settle the Vandyke trained runner in second place as the $13 chance Brentwood rushed away to set up an early three length lead. Read more ...

DEEP TEMPEST PREVAILS IN A PRESSURISED FINISH (SEPTEMBER 14)

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It has been a big week for David Vandyke racing.

The winning return of Amity Gal at Eagle Farm on Wednesday September 7 was followed another notable success when Weona Smartone saluted at Doomben on Saturday September 10.

These were not just another two wins on the scoreboard, but were significant results given the promise shown by these two runners, and to have them resume in winning form after lengthy layoffs (Amity Gal was back after a five month break while Weona Smartone had been away from race action for seven-and-a-half months) was a feather in the cap of the asute trainer.

Weona Smartone has already had a glittering career. She was defeated on debut and was beaten in her last start prior to being rested, but between those two results the son of Shamexpress put together a winning sequence of no less than eight straight victories to put himself firmly on the map. REad more ...

WEONA SMARTONE IMPRESSES ON HIS RETURN AS HE MAKES IT NINE WINS FROM ELEVEN STARTS (SEPTEMBER 10)

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Amity Gal was an eye-catching winner at Eagle Farm on September 7, and the progress of the four-year-old mare is likely to attract attention moving forward, not only because of her fluent first-up win, but also because of the interest attracted by her pedigree.

The David Vandyke trained runner is a by Shamus Award out of the Meerlust, making her no less than a full sister to the year older Duais, who is currently and one of the leading Caulfield Cup contenders and already a three-time Group 1 winner.

Those wins of Duais came over 2000m (in the Queensland Oaks and the Australia Cup) and over 2400m in the Tancred Stakes. Duais first two career wins (she has seven wins to her name) came over 1300m and 1600m.

By way of contrast, the lightly traced Amity Gal’s two career victories from her five starts to date have both been over the 1000m trip.

‘She’s too hot to be a stayer,” offered Vandyke, speaking after Amity Gal’s win. ‘She’s got that pace … and she used it today. Read more ...

WELL BRED AMITY GAL BACK WITH A BANG (SEPTEMBER 7)

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Gypsy Goddess, the Group 1 Queensland Oaks winner is back in work, and she will follow a carefully measured path to the $10 million Golden Eagle which will take place at Randwick on October 29.

“She is back in work,” confirmed trainer David Vandyke, “and she will trial on September 20.

“She will head for the Golden Eagle … first-up, for her one and only run this time in. That has always been the plan, and nothing has changed.”

GYPSY GODDESS BACK IN WORK (SEPTEMBER 5)

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It’s been three months since the David Vandyke trained Gypsy Goddess won the Group 1 Queensland Oaks … and she has not raced since then … but her name was back in the spotlight on Saturday might when the highly performed daughter of Tarzino took out the Champion Three-Year-Old award for the 2021/22 racing season.

A Karaka graduate of the 2020 sale, Gypsy Goddess did not make the reserve price of $20 000 set down for her, but the sound of the cash register ringing up the prize-money she has been bringing since kicking off her career has been music to the ears of her connections since then.

Five wins from five starts in her first preparation culminated in a Group 3 victory in the Grand Prix at Eagle Farm.

After a three month break from race action, Gypsy Goddess was at it again, winning again, first-up at Eagle Farm before taking her six-win unbeaten record down south, taking a steep climb in competition to tackle the best of her sex at the highest level of the game. Read more

GYPSY GODDESS NAMED CHAMPION 3YO FILLY AT THE AUSTRALIAN RACEHORSE OF THE YEAR AWARDS (SEPTEMBER 4)

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It was a rare visit to Kilcoy for the David Vandyke stable on August 27, but the strategy was spot on as Sir Gunsen claimed his first win in five starts since transferring to the Vandyke stable … and his third career win overall.

The race was a Class 2 Handicap over 1900m (the Vietnam Veterans Cup), which meant that Sir Gunsen was coming back in distance from the 2150m of his first-up run in which he finished third at Ipswich three weeks earlier.

Sir Gunsen didn’t quite win as comfortably as the $1.80 started price suggested he would ($8 was the next best price on offer), but the old saying, ‘it doesn’t matter how much you win by’ applied here as the son of So You Think got home by 0.20 lengths. Read more ...

A RARE VISIT TO KILCOY PAYS DIVIDENDS FOR THE DAVID VANDYKE STABLE (AUGUST 27)

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The David Vandyke stable advanced their personal scoreboard by a winner a meeting for the last four meetings in a row when Jakkalberry Finn claimed his second career success at the Poly Track meeting at the Sunshine Coast on August 21 in a Class 2 Handicap over 1600m.

This was on the back of Spicy Sonic’s win on August 14, Aban’s win on August 17 and Sneak Preview’s win on August 20 … a really nice run of success.

Jakkalberry Finn, who was third up here, had showed progressive improved from his first-up run to his second-up result, and punters recognised the value of those efforts by supporting the six-year-old son of Jakkalberry into second favourite at $3.20, behind the $1.95 favourite Tee Amici, who already had a Poly Track win to his credit having scored two runs back on the synthetic surface.

Jakkalberry Finn, who jumped from barrier seven in an eight-horse field, was taken back to last by Kyle Wilson-Taylor at the break and was all of three lengths behind the second last horse in the early part of the race.

At the 1200m Jakkalberry Finn was still all of seven lengths off the lead, but he was about to tag on to the back of the field and, when he did, Wilson-Taylor kept his momentum going by slipping him through a gap between runners. Read more ...

JAKKALBERRY FINN GOES FROM LAST TO FIRST WITH A MINIMUM OF FUSS TO CLAIM WIN NUMBER TWO (AUGUST 21)

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It is reasonably rare for trainer David Vandyke to send two runners out in the same race … and even more rare that they both start at double figure odds … but he did that with Sneak Preview ($14) and Bargannon ($12) in a BM80 Handicap over 1600m at Doomben on August 20 where the stable produced a first and third place result.
It was Sneak Preview who prevailed to claim the eighth win of his career.

Ridden with some aplomb by Stephanie Thornton, Sneak Preview went back early to race some eight to nine lengths off the lead as the $31 outsider Fort Wayne took the field down the back stretch.

Sneak Preview was still third last in the ten horse field, but now only five lengths back as Fort Wayne brought the field to the home turn, where Thornton had to steer the son of Smart Missile all of seven wide early in the straight to find clear running.

Now it would all be up to the finishing effort he could muster … and he ‘nailed’ that, going smoothly through his gears to range up quickly to challenge for the honours. Read more ...

SNEAK PREVIEW UPSTAGES RIVALS AT LONG ODDS (AUGUST 20)

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Patience is a free commodity, but one that not everybody can master.

Almost any trainer of note though, uses the patience ‘factor’ to its full extent in terms of bringing a horse along at its own specifically required and preferred pace … ie at the rate of progression that will suit the horse best and allow it to reach its maximum potential in a measured. and not rushed, period of time.

David Vandyke is one who has tamed the patience beast and that element of his training mindset was once again very much in evidence with the win of the Savabeel gelding Aban in a Three-Year-Old Colts and Geldings Maiden Plate over 1350 at Ipswich on August 17.

Vandyke gave Aban three trials over a period of five months (from February 8 to July 12) before the astute trainer was prepared to give Aban his first taste of race action … and that came at his home track at the Sunshine Coast on July 31 where he finished second in a Maiden Handicap over 1200m, finishing just 0.30 lengths behind the winner.

With the benefit of that run under his belt, Vandyke stepped the distance test up to 1400m for Aban when he took him to Ipswich for his second career start where he started at the prohibitive odds of $1.45 … with only two other runners quoted in single figures. Read more ...

PATIENCE THE KEY TO SETTING UP ABAN'S FIRST WIN (AUGUST 17)

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Trainer Michael Costa had a pretty good stable before he was lured to Dubai to become the personal trainer to Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid al Maktoum … and one of the horses which was in the Costa stable that transferred to the David Vandyke yard was the Outreach gelding, Spicy Sonic.

Spicy Sonic had only raced once for Costa, finishing second in a Maiden Plate over 1100m at Grafton back on January 23, meaning that when Spicy Sonic stepped out for his first assignment for the Vandyke stable at the Sunshine Coast in a Maiden Handicap over 1200m on August 14, he was first-up following a six-and-a-half month break from race action and having only his second career start (as a four-year-old).

The fact that Spicy Sonic did trial well on July 26, coupled with Vandyke’s ability to get horses new to his stable to perform early in the piece, saw Spicy Sonic start as favourite at $2.50 with his only real market-rival being the Tony Gollan trained Sinful Moment ($3.50) … who is a half-brother to the Golden Slipper winner, Yes Yes Yes. Read more ...

SPICY SONIC TOO HOT FOR HIS OPPOSITION TO HANDLE (AUGUST 14)

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The David Vandyke trained Landsborough Lad has been luckless since returning from a two-year, injury enforced layoff on April 20.

The injury was a serious one and it was a real credit to all concerned with his care and rehabilitation that the son of Headwater even made it back to the races … but, while it was conceded at the outset that any positive race result from there would be a bonus, his run of second place finishes has been frustrating.

Landsborough Lad, in fact, has finished as the runner-up in no less than five of his six starts since resuming and, apart from the second placing in his first-up run,
Landsborough Lad’s remaining four second placed finishes have all come when defeated by a margin of a length or less. Read more ...

LANDSBOROUGH LAD AND THOSE SECOND PLACES (AUGUST 10)

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A new season!

It is fair to say that a horse from the David Vandyke stable seldom starts at double figure odds … as Bargannon did in a BM68 Handicap over 1350m at Doomben on August 6 … but, in fact, in this case those odds arguably showed a measure of respect for the stable given that Bargannon had last saluted as far back on October 26, 2019 and was now competing as an eight-year-old.

A warning of sorts had been posted in Bargannon’s last run though when he finished second in the McLean Cup over 1400m during the Grafton Carnival. He had been ridden by Jag Guthmann-Chester on that occasion and Vandyke kept faith with Guthmann-Chester for the Doomben contest.

Bargannon landed in the leading line before settling in fifth spot, one out, just two lengths off the lead early on. Bargannon still held fifth position in the sweep to the home turn, but was now four lengths back as Guthmann-Chester continued to bide his time before starting to get more vigorous approaching the home turn. Read more ...

BARGANNON BITES BACK AS AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD (AUGUST 6)
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David Vandyke finished in fifth place on the Brisbane Metropolitan Trainers Premiership for the 2021/22 season, gathering in 31 winners from his 166 runners for a healthy 18.7 percent strike-rate. The highlight of the season was Gypsy Goddess' Group 1 performances which culminated in her fantastic success in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks
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Going into a BM65 Handicap over 1660m at Ipswich on July 29, the five-year-old bay mare Wheels had competed more trials than races over the preceding twelve months.

Seven trials and only five races during that period of time underlined the careful, considered preparation of the daughter of Shocking by trainer David Vandyke.

In fact, this Ipswich run was only the seventh career start by Wheels (a five-year-old remember) further underling the patient handling of Wheels by the stable … and that duty of care was well rewarded at Ipswich when Wheels pounced to claim her third career victory.

While Wheels, who was easy to back at $10, was splendid, the ride of Michael Cahill was superb and has to be acknowledged a big contributing factor to the victory.

Wheels was cut out at the start which left her trailing towards the rear of the field as she found herself second last, all of eight lengths off the lead. Read more ...

WHEELS RUNS THEM DOWN IN A FINELY TUNED PERFORMANCE TO CLAIM A THIRD CAREER VICTORY (JULY 29)

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When a horse wins on debut for a stable it is always a huge plus and David Vandyke added another name to the list of successes he has enjoyed in this category when Celtic Harp saluted in a Maiden Handicap over 1110m on the Poly Track at The Sunshine Coast on July 25.

The three-year-old son of No Nay Never actually started his career with Chris Waller. After only one run with Waller (for a fourth place), Celtic Harp then changed stables and moved to John O’Shea where he had a further three runs (all unplaced) before being sent north by his connections to join the David Vandyke stables at the Sunshine Coast. Read more ...

CELTIC HARP PLAYS A WINNING TUNE (JULY 25)

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Jewel Flight might have taken seven runs to shed her maiden ticket, but there was no delay in posting her second win when she made it back-to-back successes when saluting in a BM58 contest over 3120m at Grafton on July 17.

This win solidified the solid progression that the lightly raced four-year-old mare has made since resuming back in May after a five-and-a-half month layoff from race action.

In her four runs since then, leading into her Grafton assignment, Jewel Flight had finished eighth first-up over 1400m, then fourth over 1650m, then second over 1800m before coming back a winner over 2500m.

Clearly the step up in distance was what she was looking for each time and the fact that she coped with everything from good to soft to heavy going along the way was another plus to come out of those progressive performances. Read more ...

THE FURTHER THE BETTER FOR JEWEL FLIGHT (JULY 17)

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Fast Talking has been a revelation since being given a freshen up by trainer David Vandyke in mid-June.

The seven-year-old daughter of Walking Or Dancing won two-in-a-row … on June 22, in a BM72 over 2070m, and on July 2, in a BM 80 over 1800m … before narrowly being denied a hat trick of wins when having to settle for second place behind Barade in a BM85 over 2030m at Doomben on July 13.

Ten days later though, Fast Talking was back in the winners’ enclosure to ramp up her recent record to three wins from her last four starts.

This time her success came in a BM90 contest over 2200m at Doomben on July 23 in heavy going where she dominated both the betting (starting as the hot favourite at $1.60 in the five-horse field) and the race itself (winning by a decisive 2.50 length margin).

Fast Talking’s regular jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor, who was having his fifth successive ride on the mare, again did the honours in the saddle, carrying out his task to perfection. Read more ...

FAST TALKING IS WELL AND TRULY WALKING THE WALK (JULY 13)

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The David Vandyke stable wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard in July, courtesy of a facile win by Fast Talking in a BM80 Handicap over 1800 in the opening race on the card on Caloundra Cup Day at the stable’s home track at the Sunshine Coast on July 2.

The son of Walking Or Dancing has been enjoying a resurgence in form since relocating to the Vandyke stable with this latest win being the third victory in six starts for Vandyke by the rejuvenated seven-year-old.

It was also his second win in a row following his success in a BM72 Handicap over 2070m in his previous outing.

Kyle Wilson-Taylor, who was having his third successive ride on Fast Talking ($5.50), slowly brought his mount across from a wide barrier in an unhurried fashion to ultimately settle in sixth place, some four to five lengths off the lead in the early part.

Fast Talking was still caught three wide at that stage and, after taking stock of the situation, Wilson-Taylor elected to push forward into third and then second place by the time the field went through the 1000m mark. Read more ...

BACK TO BACK WINS FOR FAST TALKING (JULY 2)

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Just as David Vandyke had kicked off June with a winner on the opening day of the month, so too did the stable round off the month with a winner on the last day of June when Jewel Flight saluted in a Maiden Plate over 2500m at Ipswich on June 30.

It has taken a lot of patience to get Jewel Flight to the winners’ enclosure.

The four-year-old daughter of Zacinto had no less than five trials from January 2021 to September 2021 before making her debut on September 22, 2021, where she claimed third place. A runner-up finish was to follow, after which she was given a brief freshen up before again filling third place in her third start on November 17, 2021.

The stable then elected to take Jewel Flight away from race action again. It was four-and-a-half months before she reappeared, finishing unplaced (for the first time) first up over 1400m.

But that was just a stepping-stone. Read more ...

AFTER PROGRESSIVE IMPROVEMENT, JEWEL FLIGHT PUTS THAT IMPORTANT FIRST WIN ON THE SCOREBOARD (JUNE 30)

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The David Vandyke trained Whitewater kicked off Tatts Tiara Day at Eagle Farm on June 25 … the final day of the Brisbane racing Carnival … with a hard-fought win in the opening race on the card, a Class 3 Handicap over 1600m.

Coming into the race, Whitewater had won two of his previous seven starts (in Maiden and Class 1 company). He had also put his toe in the water in Group 2 company in the Queensland Guineas, but he was found wanting at that level at this stage.

Back to the safer, natural progression from where he left off with his last win, Whitewater was sent out as second favourite at a starting price of $5.50 in what appeared to stack up as a fairly open race. Read more ...

WHITEWATER SCORES A HARD-FOUGHT WIN (JUNE 25)

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The very smart Cudyado provided the second leg of a training double for the David Vandyke stable at Doomben on June 22.

The lightly raced three-year-old has wasted no time in announcing his above average potential this time in.

The son of Spirit Of Boom did not race as a two-year-old and raced only once in the first nine months of his three-year-old season (he finished fifth on debut back on October 8, 2021) … but he has set about making up for lost time with a vengeance, having now won two out of two since resuming with his Maiden win the Poly Track over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast on May 22.

It is never easy to win your first start out of Maiden company, but that is exactly what Cudyado did when stepping up to this BM65 challenge over 1200m here … and he did it with some authority at the easy to back odds of $6.50. Reade more ...

CUDYADO PUTS HIS TALENT ON DISPLAY (JUNE 22)

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Fast Talking provided the first leg of a training double for the David Vandyke stable at Doomben on June 22 … but it was nail-biting stuff.

The seven-year-old son of Walking And Dancing was a veteran of forty-two starts going into this BM72 Handicap over 2070m, but he was shown plenty of respect on the betting boards where he was marked up as an equal $2.70 favourite with the Chris Waller trained Khaalis.

The bookmakers were saying they couldn’t separate these two runners … and this time they had called it with uncanny accuracy as, in a driving finish, Fast Talking and Khaalis flashed through the line together, barely being able to be separated by the naked eye.

If you had to make a call you would have said that Fast Talking had just held on … and that was the decision that the judge handed down.

It was a very, very narrow win, but it was as well deserved as it was hard-earned. Read more ...

FAST TALKING PREVAILS IN A NAIL-BITING FINISH (JUNE 22)

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Trainer David Vandyke saddled three feature race place getters at the Ipswich Cup race meeting on June 18.

Street Dancer:

The Pride Of Dubai chestnut finished third, just 1.30 lengths behind the winner Smart Meteor in the Listed Ipswich Cup. Tucked in nicely enough not far off the speed, which was set by his stable companion Spencer in the early part, Street Dancer was five-wide on cornering, and he produced a steady, sustained run in the straight, but he could not go with Smart Meteor and Our Intrigue who finished strongly on the outside of Street Dancer leaving the Vandyke runner having to settle for third place. In doing so, Street Dancer maintained the proud record he has under David Vandyke, which shows three wins, a second, two thirds and a fourth place in seven runs for the stable. Read more ...

THREE FEATURE RACE PLACINGS (JUNE 18)

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It is very seldom that the David Vandyke stable has anywhere near the kind of representation … number-wise that is … that it had on Ipswich Cup Day on June 18.

No less seven than Vandyke trained runners faced the starter on the day at Ipswich and, while a win did prove elusive, results were generally of a positive enough nature to rate it as a day well spent.

Desert Lord did the stable proud with a runner-up finish in the Listed Eye Liner. Maybe The Best came up just a stride short of winning the Listed Gai Waterhouse so she too had to settle for second spot.

Street Dancer finished third in the Listed Ipswich Cup while Orbisyn also claimed a third place when racing second-up after a twelve month layoff.Read more ...

HOW YOU CAN HAVE A GOOD DAY WITHOUT A WINNER (JUNE 18)

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Trainer David Vandyke is a master strategist who stays focussed on particular objectives no matter what hype any particular horse is surrounded with at any time, or what temptations in terms of race scheduling might apply, or what distractions (and aren’t they always there) that might be in play.

Vandyke’s three-year-old filly Gypsy Goddess could certainly pull all of those triggers but, after what Vandyke has described as an ‘arduous campaign,’ his Group 1 Queensland Oaks winner will be allowed some well-deserved time off and will have a very light summer racing schedule … with the long term 2023 Grand Final target being set all of seventeen months away.

“The Melbourne Cup … not this year, next year … when she is a five-year old,” was Vandyke’s firm response to the Melbourne Cup question after Gypsy Goddess’s stunning Oaks’ success. Read more

‘THE MELBOURNE CUP … NOT THIS YEAR, NEXT YEAR’ (JUNE 6)

The long-term plan

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If ever you wanted to see evidence of the love between a strapper and a horse, you didn’t have to look any further than that portrayed by Emma Lehmann and Gypsy Goddess, both before and after the Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

In the parade ring prior to the race, there was a sereneness about the comfortable, relaxed walking stride of Gypsy Goddess, totally at one with her handler who gazed at her adoringly throughout the pre-race parade, a gaze underlined with a tranquil smile, all of which spoke of the pure, shared pleasure of the moment between horse and strapper.

This moment had nothing to do with money … or winning.

It seemed like the two of them could have been anywhere at all and the view to anybody watching them would have the same.

The name of the game is horseracing though, so winning, or running well, is a bonus and Gypsy Goddess topped up that bonus to the rim with her spectacular run in the Oaks, where she took off a long way out and sustained a race winning effort which carried her to a landmark, first Group 1 victory. Read more ...

THE LOVE IN THEIR EYES (JUNE 5)

A bond like no other

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“I dreamt of her doing that … but to actually be able to perform like that after all she has been through was just amazing,” said trainer David Vandyke.

David Vandyke was talking about his latest Group 1 winner, Gypsy Goddess, who produced a long, sustained run which carried her to victory in the Queensland Oaks in a manner which can be lauded as an outstanding effort by any standards, In fact, it took the breath away from many of those watching from the grandstand.

“I had dreamt about it,” continued Vandyke, “but, don’t forget, she had never won without the blinkers, so that was a little niggling thought … and also I knew if Willie (Pike) went back from that wide draw, we would be behind some horses that weren’t going to take us into the race.

“She was going to have to do it on her own because she wasn’t going to get the cart forward that she may have got in a smaller or more even field.

“When Willie did make that move and Gypsy Goddess started to round them up so quickly, I thought he had gone too early. I did think he had gone too soon. You know, they still had the straight to get up. I saw her out six deep, without cover, and I thought ahh … I hope she is not going to be a sitting shot.Read more ...

A GLORIOUS END TO A MAGNIFICENT CAMPAIGN (JUNE 5)

Dreams do come true

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It doesn’t get much better than this.

The David Vandyke trained Gypsy Goddess … a Group 3 winner after only four starts … still unbeaten after five starts … then placed twice at Group 1 level and once in Listed company … and now, a Group 1 winner, am honour she claimed with some aplomb.

To win the Group 1 Queensland Guineas in her home state in front of her home crowd only enhanced the glory of the moment for Gypsy Goddess and all of her connections.

“I’m not going to tell (jockey) Willie (Pike) what to do from the wide barrier,” said Vandyke in the days preceding the big race. “I’m going to let Willie do whatever he wants. He’ll just sum it up … the way she jumps … and just work it out from there. I think trying to tie him down to something from that barrier wouldn’t be wise on my part.”

As things turned out, Vandyke had left Gypsy Goddess in very good hands.

Jumping from the widest barrier in the eighteen strong field, Gypsy Goddess (the $4.40 favourite) jumped cleanly with Pike electing to take her back in the short run to the first turn and the daughter of Tarzino eased across slowly to settle third last as the field turned out of the home straight after passing the winning post for the first time.

That then left Gypsy Goddess all of fourteen lengths off the early speed as the $41 bolter Nyota took the field down the back straight. Read more ...

IT'S GYPSY GODDESS' QUEENSLAND OAKS (JUNE 4)

A crowning glory

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MAYBE THE BEST - HE WAS THIS TIME (JUNE 1)

Completed a stable double on the day

GULF OF VENICE'S VERY IMPRESSIVE DEBUT (JUNE 1)

A walk in the park

STREET DANCER RALLIES UNDER RAWILLER TO CLAIM A FOURTH CAREER VICTORY (MAY 30)

A hard fought win... well earned

JOY TOO ALL TAKES IT UP FROM WHERE SHE LEFT OFF (MAY 27)

Joy Too All improves her already impressive record

DAVID VANDYKE PROVIDES WILLIE PIKE WITH HIS FIRST WINNER AT THE SUNSHINE COAST (MAY 22)

An armchair ride fior the star jockey

PATIENCE, WHICH HAS LONG BEEN A BIG PART OF THE VANDYKE STABLE ARMOURY, PAYS OFF AGAIN (MAY 18)

Sneak Preview is a hit

SACRED STREAM'S FORTUNES STARTING TO FLOW IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION (MAY 15)

Sacred Stream salutes. Never in doubt.

DYNASTIES AND GYPSY GODDESS RULE IN THE BRACELET (MAY 7)

A great prep for the Grand Final

STREET DANCER WINS FOR THE SECOND TIME IN HIS LAST THREE STARTS (MAY 4)

Maintaining a fine level of consistency

FAST TALKING OVERCOMES HIS OPPOSTION WITH EASE (APR 27)

Winning with authority

ORBISYN SET TO MAKE HIS LONG AWAITED RETURN (APR 26)

It comes with a sense of anticipation

GYPSY GODDESS BEING PRIMED TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP
(APR 26)

Exciting times ahead

GYPSY GODDESS CONFIRMED FOR WINTER CARNIVAL (APR 21)

Good news

LANDSBOROUGH LAD - MAYBE ONLY A SECOND PLACE BUT A PRETTY SPECIAL RETURN TO ACTION (APR 20)

So good to have him back

SACRED OATH PUTS GHOSTS OF THE PAST TO REST (APR 16)

A very, very satisfying win

WHITEWATER'S RAPID RETURN TO WINNING FORM (APR 10)

Whitewater dominates first-up

GYPSY GODDESS DOES THE VANDYKE STABLE PROUD (APR 9)

Another top class Group 1 performance

WINS DON'T COME MUCH EASIER THAN THIS (APR 4)

Street Dancer could not have been more impressive

GYPSY GODDESS LOSES NO FANS IN GROUP 1 DEFEAT (MAR 28)

Gypsy Goddess passes her first Group 1 test with credit

TRAINER DAVID VANDYKE TALKS ABOUT HIS RISING STAR, THE UNBEATEN THREE-YEAR-OLD, GYPSY GODDESS (MAR 15)

Exciting times ahead

A STUNNING RETURN TO ACTION FOR GYPSY GODDESS (MAR 12)

Gypsy Goddess takes up from where she left off

A REALLY SCARY MOMENT, BUT, THANKFULLY, HORSE AND RIDER DID EMERGE RELATIVELY UNSCATHED (MAR 10)

An experience you wouldn't wish on anybody

SANZERA WINS FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THREE STARTS (MAR 4)

Continuing her good work

SACRED OATH FINISHES SECOND ON DEBUT (FEB 16)

He got more media attention than most before his debut because of his high profile ownership group

AUTISSIER HAS TO SETTLE FOR SECOND PLACE ON DEBUT (FEB 13)

Just a couple of strides short

MAYBE THE BEST OVERCOMES TRAFFIC PROBLEMS TO SCORE A CLEARCUT WIN (FEB 6)

Would have been a tragedy beaten ... but she got the result in the end

DESERT LORD IMPROVES HIS LISTED RACE RECORD (JAN 29)

That's four top three finishes in a row in Listed races for Desert Lord

NAUGHTY HARRY UPSTAGES HIS RIVAL ON DEBUT(JAN 15)

Naughty Harry earns a big tick of approval

KERCHAK WINS AGAIN ... THIS TIME BY A WHISKER (JAN 12)

Kerchak made to fight hard to secure a second successive victory

TOOROOLOO RESUMES HER WINNING WAYS (JAN 12)

Back in winning mode

AMITY GAL SCORES AN EYE-CATCHING DEBUT WIN (JAN 2)

Very smart debut win by a well-connected filly

KERCHAK GOES KAPOW (DEC 24)

Always in control

CONSTANT FLIGHT REVIVES HIS FORTUNES WITH A STRONG END TO END VICTORY (DEC 18)

A long time between drinks but he is back

GYPSY GODDESS IS SIMPLY MAJESTIC AS SHE RETAINS HER UNBEATEN RECORD WITH A FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN (DEC 18)

Never in doubt

MCCOVEY COVE KICKS OFF A VANDYKE STABLE TREBLE (DEC 18)

It doesn't matter how much you win by

DAVID VANDYKE STABLE ON FIRE (DEC 7)

What a start to the summer!

HEART-STOPPING STUFF AS WEONA SMARTONE GETS UP TO MAKE IT EIGHT WINS IN A ROW (DEC 4)

You wouldn't want this one over again

SANZERA THRIVES ON THE CHALLENGE AS SHE OVERCOMES OBSTACLES TO WIN ON DEBUT (DEC 4)

First-timer shows plenty of attitude in an impressive debut win

THE UNBEATEN GYPSY GODDESS HAS COME A LONG WAY IN A VERY SHORT SPACE OF TIME (DEC 4)

Gypsy Goddess makes it three wins from three starts

COLLEAGUES CLAIMS FIRST CAREER WIN (DEC 3)

Back in class, up in distance all helps make a plan come together

TOOROOLOO TOO GOOD AS SHE MAKES IT FOUR WINS FROM SEVEN STARTS (DEC 1)

Toorooloo makes it three wins in a row and four wins from seven starts

DEEP TEMPEST AND KERCHAK CATCH THE EYE WITH CREDITABLE RUNNER-UP FINISHES (NOV 28)

Looking like two progressive horses

PATIENCE REWARDED AS JOY TOO ALL TAKES HER RACE RECORD TO FOUR WINS FROM SIX STARTS (NOV 10)

Joy Too All comes back a winner after a five month break from race action

TWO HOME TRACK DOUBLES IN THREE DAYS FOR THE DAVID VANDYKE STABLE – PART 1 (NOV 7)

Deep Tempest and Demurral

TWO HOME TRACK DOUBLES IN THREE DAYS FOR THE DAVID VANDYKE STABLE – PART 2 (NOV 7)

Cotton Fields and Gypsy Goddess

RAPAPORT CLINGS ON BRAVELY TO MAKE IT THREE WINS FROM FOUR STARTS (OCT 27)

It doesn't matter how much you win by as long as you get there

THERE IS STILL SOME FINE TUNING TO BE DONE BUT WHEELS IS ROLLING ALONG REALLY NICELY (OCT 27)

Wheels lights up to make it two wins from four starts

THE GOLD COAST IS FAST BECOMING A HAPPY HUNTING GROUND FOR THE DAVID VANDYKE STABLE (OCT 23)

Four winners from six starts at the Gold Coast in the last month

NO CIGAR, BUT KEEFY SCORES A HIGHLY CREDITABLE RESULT IN THE $1 MILLION BONDI STAKES )OCT 23)

A really stout effort by the ever-consistent gelding

NOT THE USUAL SCRIPT - A DAVID VANDYKE TRAINED RUNNER WINS AT LONG ODDS (OCT 20)

A dashing debut win

IAMICAN TOPS MAGIC MILLIONS OCTOBER ON-LINE SALE (OCT 7)

Another good result

TWO HORSES MAKING THEIR DEBUT FOR THE DAVID VANDYKE STABLE RETURN PLEASING RESULTS (OCT 6)

A pleasing start

ANOTHER GOLD COAST DOUBLE FOR VANDYKE RACING (OCT 3)

Sundus and Smart Star Prince both winners at the coast

WEONA SMARTONE STAYING IN QUEENSLAND - FOR NOW (SEPT 28)

Temptation was to head south ... but there will be time for that

DESERT LORD ARRIVES A COUPLE OF STRIDES TOO LATE TO SNARE APACHE CHASE IN THE WEETWOOD (SEPT 28)

A flying finish just comes up short

KEEFY FINISHES SECOND IN THE GUINEAS. DISSOLUTION’S GAME EFFORT UNDER TOP WEIGHT IN THE CUP (SEPT 25)

Stable results for the Garden City Guineas and Toowoomba Cup

WEONA SMARTONE IS KEEPING A SMILE OF DAVID VANDYKE'S FACE AS HE MAKES IT SEVEN WINS IN A ROW (SEPT 19)

While Orbisyn's career has been put on hold for the moment, Weona Smartone's career is going full steam ahead

THERE IS JUST NO STOPPING WEONA SMARTONE (SEPT 18)

Seven in a row and counting

KEEFY DICTATES FROM THE FRONT TO SECURE HIS SECOND CAREER WIN (SEPT 15)

Always in command

SMART STAR PRINCE SECURES HIS MAIDEN WIN (SEPT 12)

Moving in the right direction

FIVE SECOND PLACES FROM EIGHT RUNNERS (SEPT 11)

Still securing a return to connections

SEA RIPPLE CATCHES THE EYE WITH A SMART DEBUT WIN (AUG 29)

A very promising debut

THAT’S SIX-IN-A-ROW NOW FOR WEONA SMARTONE (AUG 28)

Weona Smartone extends an already impressive winning sequence

A PRETTY SPECIAL WIN ON A PRETTY SPECIAL DAY (AUG 27)

Desert Lord wins the Goldmarket

VANDYKE UNLEASHES AT THE GOLD COAST (AUG 27)

A handsome treble for David Vandyke

ROCKY ROADTRIP PRODUCES THE PERFECT RESULT (AUG 19)

Blackboots and Night Express land a race-to-race double

DISSOLUTION LEADS FROM START TO FINISH (AUG 14)

Dissolution back in the winner's enclosure.

HEIRBORN PREVAILS IN A THRILLER (AUG 11).

Wins don't come more hard-earned or well deserved than this

TRAINER SUGGESTS IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP TO CHANGE WITH REGARD TO TRAINING TRACK OPENING HOURS (AUG 2)

A fatigue factor that needs to be addressed

THE 2020/21 SEASON STATS (JULY 31).

Impressive

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