The Group 1 $500,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Derby Day could be an alternative Spring target for Golden Slipper winner Vancouver.
Golden Slipper winner Vancouver could be surprise runner in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Steve Hart.
Vancouver showed that he was on track for a profitable Spring Carnival with an impressive barrier trial win at Randwick today but trainer Gai Waterhouse said that his Melbourne Spring campaign will be finalised after he runs in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoloi Wines Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on September 12.
Waterhouse had hinted that Vancouver would head towards the Group 1 $1m BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 10 after the Golden Rose Stakes and then onto the Group 1 $3m Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley a fortnight later.
But that plan could be changed when Waterhouse meets with the connections before the Medaglia D’Oro colt heads to Melbourne.
“After the Golden Rose probably a decision will be made by Coolmore and the Group, will he go on to the Cox Plate or will he be freshened up for the Coolmore, the sprint race at Flemington,” Waterhouse said on RSN.
“I must say whatever he runs in, I don’t think they will beat him. That’s how good he is.”
Vancouver heads into the Spring with an undefeated record from four race starts and today’s barrier trial win was his first public appearance since winning the Group 1 $3.5m Tooheys New Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill earlier in the year during the Sydney Autumn Carnival.
The Waterhouse trained colt began his racing career with a win in the Listed $100,000 NSW Thoroughbred Breeders’ Plate (1000m) at Randwick on October 4 during the 2014 Spring Carnival and Waterhouse immediately labelled the Medaglia D’Oro colt as her main Golden Slipper hope.
Following a short break Vancouver returned to the track for a win in the Group 3 $150,000 Canonbury Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on January 31 before he had his last Golden Slipper lead up run with a win in the Group 2 $300,000 UNSW Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on March 7.
Vancouver’s value was estimated to be around the $40 million mark following Coolmore’s purchase to stand him as a high profile stallion in the future and the colt’s new owners include China Horse Club, Ramsey Pastoral and Peters Investments.
“There was obviously a massive amount of interest in the horse so we are delighted to have secured him,” Coolmore’s Tom Magnier said.
“He’s a brilliant colt and we and our partners, who include the China Horse Club, Ramsey Pastoral and Peters Investments, couldn’t be more excited about his future.
“We are delighted to be racing this horse with its current owners next season and you have to give Gai credit, she has done such a great job with this colt, like she did with Pierro.’’
Pierro stands at Coolmore for a fee of $77,000 and was prepared by Waterhouse to win the 2012 Triple Crown for the two year olds with wins in the Golden Slipper, the Group 1 $1m Inglis Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 $400,000 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
Vancouver currently heads the market order for the Golden Rose Stakes with Ladbrokes.com.au at $3.20 and is marked as a $13 chance in the Cox Plate.
