David Vandyke chasing success at Eagle Farm with Misting before New Zealand bid

Victory at Eagle Farm on Saturday is crucial for trainer David Vandyke’s grand plans with progressive filly Misting.

David Vandyke has grand plans in New Zealand for his up-and-coming filly Misting next year.

So she needs to take care of business at Eagle Farm to frank the high opinion the Group 1-winning trainer has of her as he looks to shake off an uncharacteristically slow season by his lofty standards.

Vandyke wants to take Misting to New Zealand for the 3YO Karaka Millions (1600m) in January, before hunting for a spot in the $3.5m NZB Kiwi slot race for three-year-olds over 1500m at Ellerslie on March 8.

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To justify even thinking about that, Misting will need to be winning the QTIS 3YO Handicap (1820m) on Saturday, with a trip that Vandyke said will be right up her alley.

“We think she can be a really nice sprinter-miler, she is out of a Galileo mare, so she can be a middle distance horse and potentially even a stayer, she is racing like that,” he said.

“Saturday is a big day for her.

“It is pie in the sky stuff at the moment, she has to get through Saturday and I have to see her do it in a stronger race up in the weights.”

Misting justifies her favouritism and rockets home from last to take the first at Eagle Farm for Sunny Coast trainer @vandykeracing13 🏇💨 pic.twitter.com/Xf2fr0JkDL

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 2, 2024

Racing for the same connections as Group 1 winner Gypsy Goddess, Vandyke said Misting shares some of his former stable star’s laid-back traits.

Vandyke was famously ready to sell Gypsy Goddess before she got to the races, however he knows to work with Misting’s quirks.

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“She doesn’t want to go early, two runs back I alerted the stewards that we would run her in a forward position and we couldn’t get her there, she wanted to drop out,” he said.

“I thought she’d hold a position closer to the speed last start and once again, she didn’t want to be there.

“Even when I swim her, I have to have a tail rope on her or she will sink, she is just so casual.

“If that pattern of racing is going to work, I’m happy to work with her.

“Bob Jones is the majority owner, Bob and I go to New Zealand every year for the sales and we have had some success with Weona Smartone and Gypsy Goddess.”

Misting is a $2.10 favourite on Saturday.

Originally published as David Vandyke chasing success at Eagle Farm with Misting before New Zealand bid