Gypsy Goddess kicks off Australian Oaks prep with quiet trial

Unbeaten Queensland filly Gypsy Goddess was given a quiet trial at the Sunshine Coast this morning as she gets set to tackle the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) on April 16.

The David Vandyke-trained galloper has been dominant in all four of her career starts to date, including a 3.75-length romp in the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes (2100m) in her most recent outing on December 18 at Eagle Farm.

The daughter of Victoria Derby-winning stallion Tarzino is bred to stay, and that has been evident as she’s stepped through the grades and out in distance at each of her four starts, winning over 1400m, 1600m, 2000m and 2100m respectively.

Gypsy Goddess stepped out in a 1000m Open Trial at the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday morning, where she was given a very quiet time under Kyle Wilson-Taylor.

In a field of six, the Oaks contender settled down at the back of the pack, and although she didn’t pass a horse in the heat, she worked through the line nicely in what was nothing more than a maintenance trial.

The filly started a very short -416.67 favourite in the Grand Prix and was given a brilliant steer by Stephanie Thornton, which put the writing on the wall for a Sydney Autumn Carnival campaign.

Gypsy Goddess is set to be targeted at the Australian Oaks over a mile and a half during The Championships, but she is also expected to race in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) on March 26.

Now based in Sydney, former Western Australian jockey William Pike has been booked to ride the Queenslander in all of her Sydney runs.

Gypsy Goddess is currently a +600 chance in the Vinery Stud Stakes, while she sits on the third line of betting for the Oaks at +1000.