‘Pretty special' filly justifies David Vandyke's Queensland Oaks ambitions in Princess Stakes

Herald Sun

26-04-2025

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The local stars repelled the fancied southern raiders on Saturday at Eagle Farm as the major players warmed up for the Queensland winter carnival.
Spicy Martini won the $160,000 Listed Mick Dittman Plate (1000m) for Gold Coast trainers Toby Edmonds and Stephen McLean, before Sunshine Coast trainer David Vandyke took out the $160,000 Princess Stakes (1600m) for three-year-old fillies with Philia ($4.80).
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It was a particularly satisfying win for Vandyke, who has Queensland Oaks plans for Philia, which was ridden by Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy.
The $700,000 Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) will be contested at Eagle Farm on June 7.
Vandyke comprehensively won the Queensland Oaks three years ago with Gypsy Goddess, ridden by the 'Wizard of the West' Willie Pike.
'It's hard to draw a line through the two of them,' the trainer said after Philia's impressive victory on a Soft 7 track ahead of southern raiders Pinito ($6.50) and Meridiana ($6).
'This girl (Philia) is on-pace and she gets herself a little bit hot and worked up whereas Gypsy Goddess was more one of those relaxed fillies who gets back and finds the line.
'It's hard to draw a comparison but she's pretty special this one (Philia).
'She keeps improving. Every run she gets better and that's what's exciting about her.
'She hadn't raced for five or six weeks.
'It's funny because her half-sister (Duais) won it in 2021 and I won it with Gypsy Goddess (in 2022).
'If the connections joined forces to win the Oaks it'd be the right synergy.'
Vandyke paid special tribute to trackwork jockey Quinton Cassidy, who suffered a broken arm while riding $83,000 purchase Philia on Tuesday and only got out of hospital on Friday.
'In my opinion he's the best rider I've seen. He's brilliant,' Vandyke said of Cassidy.
'This girl has been very hard to work with. She's got a very independent mind.
'He's worked with her tirelessly and he's really got her in the shape that she is today.
'Without him, she wouldn't be racing now and be as competitive as she is.
'I can't stress that enough. My name might be in the book but he's done the work.
'These blokes are the unsung heroes. It's a dangerous job and they don't get the recognition they deserve.'
Noel Callow won three of the first four races, including on Tony Gollan's gelding Hurts So Good in a Benchmark 85 handicap, on a day to remember for the veteran jockey.
In the Mick Dittman Plate, Spicy Martini made it three wins from her four races when Kyle Wilson-Taylor grinded away in the straight to pass McEvoy on $3 favourite Zoubaby, with $81 pop Belegato in third.
'I probably don't think I've ridden a horse that tries as hard as her,' Wilson-Taylor said.
'The other horse (Zoubaby) had her beat all the way down the straight. Kerrin started roaring and I thought 'I might try that' and then she responded.
'Gee she's a good mare and Toby's a good trainer. We work really well together.'
Edmonds said Spicy Martini, bought online for just $8000, was a 'good story'.
'She's a really good filly and she's quite underdone yet,' he said.
'She's still got a wiry coat and a long way to go. We've got high hopes for her this preparation. She just digs in, she's tough and unassuming.'
Edmonds said Spicy Martini would next head to the $200,000 Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) on May 10.
Originally published as Queensland pair Philia and Spicy Martini halt interstate raiders in Princess Stakes and Mick Dittman Plate at Eagle Farm