Gypsy Goddess Ready for Oaks, But Barrier No Help

Media Release - Wednesday June 1

Gypsy Goddess has continued her bad run of luck with barriers after drawing the outside gate in the 18-horse field for Saturday’s Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm.

Gypsy Goddess will be looking to be the second G1 winner for Tarzino joining SA Derby winner Jungle Magnate.

It is nothing new for the daughter of Tarzino who has had to overcome wide draws in her previous outings this preparation when placing in the Gr.1 Vinery Stakes (1850m), Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m), and Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m).

“It is a terrible barrier,” trainer David Vandyke said.

“I am glad that we have got the Wiz (jockey William Pike) on, he will have to bring out his best and have a bit of luck too.

Advertisement

“I will leave it up to Willie, I am not too sure where she will be in the run.”

Despite the draw, Vandyke has been pleased with his filly heading into the weekend.

“She has got good form going into this and she deserves to be favourite as far as ability goes,” he said.

“We have kept lifting the bar and she has kept jumping through the hoops.

“She has gone pretty much from a maiden win at the start of this campaign to being placed twice in Group One company.

“It has been a massive preparation and she certainly deserves her place in Saturday’s field and hopefully she can go out a Group One winner.”

Vandyke has become a fan of her sire Tarzino and went home with three yearlings by the Westbury Stud sire from Karaka in March.

“I have got a few by Tarzino,” he said. “I love the breed, they are tough but they just need a little bit of time.

“I bought three Tarzinos from Karaka. I have still got to syndicate them so I am hoping Gypsy can win on Saturday to help me get them done.”

Gypsy Goddess is yet another quality galloper raised at Gordon Cunningham’s Curraghmore but she failed to meet her $20,000 reserve when offered as Lot 1145 in the Book 2 session of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.

Co-bred by highly-regarded veterinarian Chris Lawler, who also purchased and raced her sire Tarzino, Gypsy Goddess is out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Invisible Coin.

Lawler remains in the ownership of Gypsy Goddess, racing her with a syndicate that includes Bob Jones, one of Vandyke’s biggest stable clients.

Tarzino has already hit the headlines in recent weeks as the sire of Jungle Magnate, who won the Gr.1 South Australia Derby (2500m), with Gypsy Goddess looking to become the young stallion’s second Group One winner from his first crop. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
Sires With Winners - Monday November 4
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
More Stakes Success for Air Assault
Group I placed last season in the SA Derby, talented gelding Air Assault kept the winning run going for Victoria Derby winning trainer Andrew Gluyas when taking out the Listed SAJC John Letts Cup (1800m) at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Darley Announce European Fees 2025
Darley have announced fees on their roster off 22 sires standing in the UK, Ireland and France with Dubawi heading the list at a fee of £350,000 for the third year in a row.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
Oaks Pedigree Preview – Who is Bred to Stay?
The $1million Group I VRC Oaks (2500m) is the highlight at Flemington on Thursday and with all of the fillies on trial at the trip, pedigree can be a good indicator and in a field of 14 that features only two stakes-winners and no Group I winners, it could be a year for an upset result.