It may not have been a vintage Group III Ascot Green Grand Prix Stakes (2100m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, but you have to admire the way the odd-on favourite Gypsy Goddess put them to the sword.
Ridden by Stephanie Thornton, the daughter of Tarzino eased out three-wide on the turn and hit the front at the 300m without being let off the bridle.
Under little more than a hand-ride, the David Vandyke-trained 3yo defeated Balmaurice (Maurice) by three and three-quarter lengths with a further four and a half lengths back to Ironic Miss (Press Statement) in third.
Gypsy Goddess advances her record to four from four with earnings of $243,100.
“Gee, I was confident turning for home; she hadn’t moved on her,” Vandyke said.
“You rarely see then easy in Group races. She is a stayer, which is what I love.
“The way Steph got into a rhythm when she produced her, she had so much left.
“I’m not sure where she stands, but she has oaks written all over her.
“I will keep an eye on her for the next two weeks, and she will not go far from home. We will see how she eats, how she is physically and mentally. Then we will decide whether to go to Sydney for the Oaks there or whether we wait and turn up for the Oaks in Brisbane.
“It is quite amazing. I have never had a horse win a Group race in the first preparation.
“Before her maiden win, she could not beat a horse on the track.
“Now she said I can do this and has climbed the ladder that quickly you would think that mentally it would have her a bit hot. But she is just beautiful.
“She is just an absolute darling. Everyone loves her. Of all the horses in the stable, she has her head over the door for a pat.
“She is a bit more than a little parrot-mouthed.”
Despite a modest $20,000 reserve, Gypsy Goddess left the ring unsold when consigned by Curraghmore to the 2020 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale. She races for her breeder Chris Lawler and partners.
She is the best of three winners from four to race out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Invisible Coin, a sister to Group 1 Flight Stakes winner Cheeky Choice.
