Trainer David Vandyke is thrilled with the condition of stable star Yankee Rose ahead of her competitive return in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes field at Caulfield Racecourse on September 2nd.

Yankee Rose will resume in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on September 2nd. Photo: Steve Hart

Yankee Rose will resume in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on September 2nd. Photo: Steve Hart

Yankee Rose has been a strong and consistent performer throughout her entire racing career to date, but she has also been plagued by injury and is yet to be seen at the races in 2017; missing the autumn after requiring surgery to remove bone chips from a knee.

The All American mare sizzled in a Cranbourne barrier trial on Tuesday morning and Vandyke is confident that she is ready to run a big race when she takes her position in the 2017 Memsie Stakes field on Saturday week.

“I wish the race was tomorrow,” Vandyke told RSN.

“She’s in really good shape and as we know a lot can go wrong with this mare.

“If she turns up in the shape she is now and has that same will to win as she did last year, I’m sure she’ll figure prominently.”

Veteran hoop Dean Yendall has partnered Yankee Rose to her impressive win in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and third place behind Winx in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) and was reportedly glowing in his assessment of the mare’s condition.

“He said she felt bigger and stronger which was good to hear,” Vandyke said.

“She’s been back in work over six months and I’ve seen that much of her that I can’t give an honest comparison to last year.”

Yankee Rose debuted to racing in late 2015 for two impressive wins in Sydney Saturday races and resumed in 2016 for an impressive second behind Capitalist in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m).

Ending her two-year-old campaign with a dominant win in the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), Yankee Rose resumed last spring for sixth in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) and while losing a plate during the running of the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m), responded with her comfortable win in the Spring Champion Stakes.

Yankee Rose is currently available at early 2017 Memsie Stakes odds of $8 at Ladbrokes.com.au.

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Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.