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Vandyke focuses on home after scrapping southern spring plans

9 October 2018

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By Glenn Davis

Trainer David Vandyke is hopeful of turning around racing’s fickle nature at Ipswich on Wednesday.

Vandyke had big plans penciled in for the Melbourne spring carnival with his highly rated Miss Quaintly and Asharani who were being set for the Group 1 VRC Oaks and Group 1 Thousand Guineas.

The Caloundra trainer also was hoping Baccarat Baby would go to Melbourne for the Thousand Guineas after her brave fifth in last month’s Group 1 Flight Stakes at Randwick.

However, all three are in the spelling paddocks leaving Vandyke to focus at home starting with Willo Titto and Champagne Daisy at Ipswich.

Premier jockey Jeff Lloyd will partner Willo Titto in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Benchmark 65 Handicap (1666m) and Champagne Daisy in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Plate (1200m).

“Asharani’s two races this campaign were ordinary despite her good trial form and her promising work,” Vandyke said.

“We ran out of time to get Miss Quaintly ready for Melbourne after she missed her last run at Doomben with an elevated temperature.

“They’re all out spelling now and I might aim Baccarat Baby for some Stakes races in Sydney during the autumn if she’s going well enough after her spell.”

Vandyke believes Willo Titto can atone for her last start second to the Stu Kendrick-trained Mymming and expects a strong showing from Champagne Daisy.

“Willo Titto is well bred and a lovely filly and she’s still learning her trade,” he said.

“Hopefully, she can win a couple before she goes out for a spell and comes back for the late three-year-old races next year.

“I was initially disappointed with her last run but she was beaten by Mymming who came out and won again in class four company on Sunday so her form stacks up well.

“The small field will help so she’ll roll forward and 1600 metres suits her.”

Willo Titto was passed in at the Magic Millions sales for $220,000 when she failed to reach her $250,000 reserve.

She is by Pierro out of the Stakes winning mare Calchris who won the Listed Silk Stocking in 2008.

Champagne Daisy finished fourth to the Tony Gollan-trained Godfather’s Girl at her last appearance at Ipswich on September 21.

“It looks a confusing race as she’s drawn wide but she’ll run well again if she can come in a few places with some scratchings,” Vandyke said.

Racing Queensland webnews   October 9