By Glenn Davis
Trainer David Vandyke is hoping talented mare Baccarat Baby can maintain her strong first-up record when she makes her comeback at Doomben on Saturday.
Baccarat Baby, a Mick Hellyer mount, steps out for the first time since her Melbourne spring campaign in the Open Handicap (1200m).
Like a lot of trainers, Vandyke had the Brisbane winter carnival planned for the daughter of Casino Prince but is now in limbo following the decision to abandon the winter carnival due to the corona virus pandemic.
“I’m not sure what I’m going to do with her after this race and I just want to get it out of the way first,” Vandyke said.
“I haven’t even looked at what races might be available in the south for her yet.
“I was getting her ready for the big winter races and her grand final was going to be the (Group 1) Tatt’s Tiara.”
Baccarat Baby won in open company first-up last campaign which took her record to two wins from four starts when resuming.
She hasn’t raced since finishing fifth to Kiwi star Melody Belle in the Group 1 Empire Rose at Flemington on November 2 which followed a creditable sixth in the Group 2 Tristarc at Caulfield in October.
“It was a good run in the Empire Rose after her tricky run in the Trictarc when she went to Caulfield for the first time,” Vandyke said.
Vandyke has given Baccarat Baby a barrier trial to prepare for her first-up assignment and conceded he wasn’t overly happy when she ran fourth over 850 metres on a heavy track on her home track on March 24.
“Her trial was only ordinary and I was a bit disappointed,” Vandyke said.
“It’s a big ask any mare to carry 60kgs first-up but she’s all quality so hopefully she’ll be competitive and it’ll be a good result to start off her campaign.”
“She’s got a great record first-up which is in her favour.”
Baccarat Baby has started 18 times for eight wins and four placings and won her first Stakes race in the Listed Princess Stakes at the Sunshine Coast in April last year.
Last winter she finished second to Military Zone in the Group 3 Fred Best Classic and second to Kolding in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas before failing behind Invicibella in the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara.
She then went on to claim the Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas last June.
Racing Queensland webnews April 9