Golden Slipper winner Vancouver will kick off his Spring Carnival campaign in the Group 3 $125,000 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on August 15.
Golden Slipper winner Vancouver set to resume in the San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
Jockey Tommy Berry, who rode Vancouver to all his four wins including a sensational victory in the Group 1 $3.5m Tooheys New Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill during the Sydney Autumn Carnival, had to postpone his honeymoon with new wife Sharnee when trainer Gai Waterhouse informed him of the colts comeback run.
Berry and wife to be Sharnee are due to walk down the aisle on Sunday and had planned to head to Hawaii on Monday, but instead he will be preparing for the week’s trials and race meetings.
“When Gai called and said Vancouver was running in the barrier trial and San Domenico Stakes next week, I knew I had a tough decision to make,’’ Berry said.
“Sharnee and I spoke about it and we agreed that I had to ride Vancouver so unfortunately our trip to Hawaii had to be cancelled. I know how much Sharnee was looking forward to the honeymoon but she understands what this horse means to me.
“Sometimes, these are the things you have to do in racing.’’
Waterhouse has already given Vancouver one trial and he impressed his trainer and Berry in winning the 840m heat at Randwick on July 31.
The ever confident Waterhouse has stated that Vancouver will go through the Spring undefeated with his first Group 1 assignment being the $1m De Bortoloi Wines Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on September 12.
The Group 1 $1m BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 10 has also been pencilled in before heading to either the Group 1 $3m Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley or the Group 1 $500,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
“Vancouver has comeback bigger and better who I believe will not be beaten this preparation,” Waterhouse said on her blog.
“He will take a power of beating come Caulfield Guineas day.”
“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.
In early betting for the Golden Rose Stakes Vancouver is listed as the $3.20 favourite ahead of Pride Of Dubai at $8, Mogador, Exosphere and Press Statement at $13 with English, Headwater and Lake Geneva all on the $15 mark.
