Queensland Oaks Triumph for Gypsy Goddess (NZ)

Seven days after a phenomenal first five in the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm, New Zealand Bloodstock has struck again in Brisbane’s other three-year-old classic – the A$700,000 Group One Channel 7 Queensland Oaks (2200m). 

Brilliant winner Gypsy Goddess (NZ) (Tarzino) was offered at Karaka 2020 with a reserve of only $20,000. Saturday’s triumph at Eagle Farm leaves her with a remarkable record of nine starts for six wins and three placings, earning A$972,300 in stakes – more than 54 times her reserve at Karaka two years ago.

A stylish Group Three winner of the Grand Prix (2100m) at this course six months ago, Gypsy Goddess had her first tastes of defeat through the autumn with placings in the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes (1850m), Group One Australian Oaks (2400m) and Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m).

She was a highly respected favourite for Saturday’s Queensland Oaks despite a daunting draw of gate 18, and her superiority shone through with a scintillating performance.

Ridden by William Pike, Gypsy Goddess unleashed a withering finish from third-last and quickly charged into contention in the home straight. Barb Raider (Rebel Raider) and Le Villi (NZ) (Puccini) stayed with her and made her work hard through a gruelling final 150 metres, but Gypsy Goddess always had the upper hand and swept past the finish line a length clear.

“I guess barriers aren’t too big of an issue when you have a horse with gears like her,” Pike said. “She had a bit on this field today. I rode her accordingly, although I still got there a bit early.”

Gypsy Goddess is trained on the Sunshine Coast by David Vandyke, who was full of praise for his latest stable star.

“That was just amazing,” he said. “The love and care that has gone into her over the last seven and a half months since she won her maiden, to keep her up – it’s just been an amazing period of time where we were just focussed on getting this girl to the best possible place, and to finish that with a Group One is a career highlight.

“She’s had a hard journey. She’s raced up here, she went down to Sydney on the heavy tracks, came back up. I said to the boys a couple of weeks ago, ‘If it was any other horse, we’d probably turn her out.’

“But we just gave her every chance to get here. She bounced back well this last week. Willie probably wished he waited another furlong, she just rounded them up and went to the front – I thought he might’ve gone too soon.

“But doesn’t she love Eagle Farm? I mean, the job’s done – she’s won her Group One. She would never have to race again. She’s done a fantastic job for a great group of patient owners. Bob Jones, he’s been with me for many, many years, he’s been a great client. To win a Group One for him, it’s just still sinking in.

“I just love the Kiwi-bred horses and when Bob told me about this filly, I was happy to take her. Bob comes to the Karaka yearling sales with me every year and we have had plenty of success with the horses we have bought.”

As well as following last week’s Derby hero Pinarello (NZ) (Tavistock) to complete a Karaka classic double in Queensland, Gypsy Goddess also continued a remarkable run for young sire Tarzino (NZ). With his oldest progeny now three-year-olds, the Westbury Stud stallion has sired his first two Group One winners in recent weeks. Fellow Karaka graduate Jungle Magnate (NZ) triumphed in last month’s South Australian Derby (2500m).

Meanwhile, Saturday’s Queensland Oaks third placegetter Le Villi is also a Karaka graduate. Bought for $10,000 from the 2019 May Sale, she has now had eight starts for two wins, two placings and A$116,693 in stakes.

Vendor	Curraghmore
Breeding	Tarzino – Invisible Coin
Sale	Lot 1145, Karaka 2020 Book 2, Psd (Reserve $20,000)
Bred by	Stareye NZ