Vandyke Has Grand Ambitions For Prince Cheri

Sydney trainer David Vandyke admits that he doesn’t know much about European import Prince Cheri but that hasn’t stopped him naming the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Melbourne Cup (3200m) as potential Spring Racing Carnival targets for the rising five-year-old.

Prince Cheri joined Vandyke’s stable earlier this year, after being under the care of Melbourne Cup winning trainer Mikel Delzangles in France, and impressed with a first-up victory over 1550 metres at Canterbury in March.

Vandyke is confident that the lightly-raced stayer can be successful at racings highest level this spring – he just isn’t sure in what race or over what distance.

“He is a very exciting horse, I think he is headed for Group glory this campaign, I’m really happy with how he is performing,” Vandyke told TVN.

“I’m not sure where or how far he gets but we will be nominating him for everything.

“I’ll be putting him in the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, everything.

Vandyke was hopeful that Prince Cheri would be able to compete at Group level during the 2013 Autumn Racing Carnival but decided to spell him prematurely to give him a greater opportunity to acclimatize to Australian conditions.

This strategy appears to have done the trick for the Lando entire and Vandyke is clearly delighted with the progress he has made this preparation.

“He is such a relaxed horse and now he is showing us some very exciting work on the track,” Vandyke said.

“He was a bit lacklustre last preparation, it was his first time in Australia, but he has really picked it up this time in and I think he will go very well.

“I think the best thing that could have happened is going out when he did.”

Prince Cheri will make an appearance at the star-studded barrier trials at Royal Randwick on Friday morning and is set to clash with fellow Melbourne Cup aspirant Fiorente in the third trial of the day.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.