By Glenn Davis
Caloundra trainer David Vandyke has experienced racing’s highs and lows in the past month and is hoping his fortunes can rebound at the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday.
Vandyke had hoped to run Group 1 Victoria Oaks hopeful Miss Quaintly in Wednesday’s QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1400m) at the Sunshine Coast but was disappointed when the race was deleted after failing to gain enough acceptors.
It came on top of stablemate Asharani’s shock defeat at Doomben on Saturday.
Despite Asharani’s flop, Vandyke is pressing ahead with Melbourne spring plans with the filly.
“While it was very disappointing, it was a very messy race for Asharani,” Vandyke said.
“She was never comfortable and she’ll need to barrier trial now before she can start again.
“But I’d still like to send her to Melbourne for the Thousand Guineas Prelude and Thousand Guineas.”
Vandyke has earmarked the Victoria Oaks in November for Miss Quaintly who scored a rousing win over 1600 meres at Doomben in July.
“She’s a quality filly and she won well last time,” Vandyke said.
“It’s disappointing the race fell away on Wednesday but she’ll run on Saturday now in a Class Three Plate at Doomben.
“It’s not ideal as I really wanted her in Melbourne later this week.”
Vandyke expects strong performances on Wednesday from Trois Choix in the Class Six Plate (1600m) and Willo Titto in the Fillies and Mares Benchmark 65 Handicap (1000m).
Seven-year-old mare Trois Choix was a first-up fifth to Tversky over 1200 metres at the Sunshine Coast on August 25 while Willo Titto was an impressive maiden winner on debut on a heavy track at the Gold Coast on May 9.
“Trois Choix ran an honest race first-up and will run well,” Vandyke said.
"I only got her 12 months ago from a tried horse sale and she’s been going very well ever since.
“She’s a seven-year-old now but she’ll probably race on for another year.”
Vandyke expects Willo Titto to run a “cheeky race” after barrier trialing well at the Sunshine Coast last month.
“She’s a beautiful filly and I really like her,” he said.
“She’ll be right up there and I think she’ll eventually run 1600 metres and possibly further.”
Racing Queensland webnews Sept 10