Golden Slipper winner Vancouver is flying on the tracks in his preparation for his return to racing in the Spring with his first major goal the Group 1 $1m Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on September 12.
Golden Slipper Stakes winner Vancouver is in fine shape in his lead up to the G1 Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.
The undefeated Gai Waterhouse trained colt was sent to the spelling paddock following his spectacular win in the Group 1 $3.5m Tooheys New Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill during the Sydney Autumn Carnival this year.
Waterhouse has mapped out a Spring Carnival program for the rising three year old that will also include the Group 1 $1m BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 10 and the Group 1 $3m Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 24.
The First Lady Of The Turf has reported that Vancouver is flying along nicely on the tracks and work rider Steve O’Halloran claimed him as the best of the morning on Tuesday after he completed a 1000m workout.
“Steve O’Halloran’s best of the morning was Vancouver who dashed over 1000m at full pace coming home his last 200m in 11.6 seconds. Steve declared that this gallop was Vancouver’s “best work this preparation.” This is spectacular news with the Golden Rose not being too far away at all,” Waterhouse wrote on her website.
Vancouver began his racing career with a win in the Listed $100,000 NSW Thoroughbred Breeders’ Plate (1000m) at Randwick on October 4 during the 2014 Spring Carnival and Waterhouse immediately labelled the Medaglia D’Oro colt as her main Golden Slipper hope.
Following a short break Vancouver returned to the track for a win in the Group 3 $150,000 Canonbury Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on January 31 before he had his last Golden Slipper lead up run with a win in the Group 2 $300,000 UNSW Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on March 7.
Vancouver was reportedly sold for $40 million as a future stallion prospect following his Golden Slipper win and will race in the navy blue colours of Coolmore Stud when he returns in the Spring.
From his four wins from four race starts Vancouver has earned $2,362,000 in prizemoney for his connections.
In early Cox Plate betting with Ladbrokes.com.au Vancouver is listed as a $13 chance behind Hong Kong star Able Friend and Godolphin’s top weight for age performer Contributer who share the top spot in the market order at $9.
