Trainer David Vandyke is confident that classy filly Arabian Gold will be competitive when she steps up in class to contest the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Arabian Gold will make her debut at Group level in the Tea Rose Stakes at Royal Randwick this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Arabian Gold has been heavily backed in the lead-up to the race after she defeated Epsom Handicap favourite Toydini and Group 1 winning mare Streama in a barrier trial over 1200 metres at Randwick on September 9.
The Dubawi filly recorded three straight victories at Canterbury and Randwick this winter and Vandyke believes that form is good enough for the three-year-old to be a legitimate contender against Guelph and Bound For Earth in the Tea Rose Stakes this weekend.
“She couldn’t have been more impressive,” Vandyke said of Arabian Gold’s trial performance.
“Her last run last prep against Stamina was also outstanding; she had 58kg and Stamina who is a boy had 56.5kg.
“Even if we go back to her win at Canberra where she beat Average by five lengths, it went on and proved the form in Stakes Company.
“In saying that we are up against the best.
“It is a big wrap for my filly to be as short a price as she is and she deserves to be in this race tomorrow.
“I am optimistic that she is going to run competitively.”
Arabian Gold will be returning to the races for the first time since July, against a number of other top horses that have a run under their belt this preparation, but Vandyke does not believe that will be a problem for the Nick Moraitis-owned filly and he said he is delighted with her condition.
“I couldn’t be happier with her,” Vandyke said.
“It took her a few days to get over that trial and coming into this weekend just gone she really started to blossom.
“Her work was very good on Tuesday and her weight is perfect.
“She is where I was hoping she would be.”
Arabian Gold will head to the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 5 if she performs up to par this Saturday.
