Stable star Yankee Rose is still struggling with foot problems as newly relocated trainer David Vandyke is eyeing off a Spring Carnival campaign that will include the Group 1 $3m Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 22.
Yankee Rose. above, is being set for the Cox Plate during the Melbourne Spring Carnival, Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Yankee Rose showed her class during the 2016 Sydney Autumn Carnival with a first up second to Capitalist in the Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill followed by a win in the Group 1 $1m Inglis Sires’ (1400m) at Randwick on April 2.
But the All American filly was sensationally scratched from the Group 1 $500,000 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on April 16 after she developed a foot abscess.
Vandyke, who has recently transferred his training operation from Warwick Farm in Sydney to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, thought he had rectified the problem but a new abscess has developed in the toe of her hoof.
Vandyke admits that it is frustrating to have the problem resurfacing again, but he is confident that he can have her fit to return to racing in the Spring.
“We’re just struggling with a foot abscess which is obviously very frustrating because we had so many problems last preparation with her feet,” Vandyke told Racenet.
“She’s just a horse that has thin walls, thin soles and wet weather hasn’t helped things.
“It’s an abscess in her toe which has made her quite lame and unable to work but she should come right in the next couple of days. Her previous abscess was in her heel.”
Vandyke said that Yankee Rose doesn’t have to do a lot of work to maintain her fitness levels and spends a lot of time in the pool.
“Swimming for her is a great substitute for track work for a couple of reasons. Firstly she doesn’t hold condition so it’s not like I’ve got to get any weight off her – she’s in the same shape now as she probably will be when she races,” Vandyke said.
“Secondly she’s an extremely good swimmer, and a fast one. She puts in a lot of effort which helps her fitness levels. It enables me to swim her knowing that we’re making serious inroads as far as fitness goes.
“She can spend half the week in the pool and still get to the races and I think we learnt a lot about her last preparation, realising how little work she really needs to be able to compete.”
Vandyke is looking to have Yankee Rose ready to return to the race track in the Group 1 $1m Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on September 10 with the Group 1 $500,000 Flight Stakes (1600m) for the fillies at Randwick her second up assignment.
A switch to Melbourne then for the Cox Plate with the Group 1 $1m Crown Oaks (2500m) at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival also on the agenda.
In early Cox Plate markets at Ladbrokes.com.au Yankee Rose is marked as a $31 chance with Chris Waller’s superstar Winx a $3 favourite to make it back to back wins in Australia’s Weight For Age Championship.
