Trainer David Vandyke is optimistic in the chances of Prince Cheri travelling north for appearances over the 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, despite the talented five-year-old being unable to figure in contention over two race starts so far this year.
Trainer David Vandyke is hoping for a return to form for classy runner Prince Cheri. Photo: Steve Hart
Only able to produce a fair trial at a Warwick Farm hit-out on Monday, Vandyke told TVN the condition in which the Lando gelding pulls up over the coming days will be the surest sign of form and strength ahead of future plans.
“He went only fair, I wasn’t confident enough to progress forward to the Hawkesbury Cup this Saturday, I would like to see him trial again and do a little bit more” Vandyke said following the Warwick Farm trial.
“He had a back problem and it has improved significantly and now we have just got to get that spring in his step again.
“The first thing is to see how he recovers from today’s trial and then if he is in good enough shape we will progress forward to another trial.
“After his last start he was feeling his back, which explains his performance.”
Securing four wins and two places from only nine race starts to date, Prince Cheri was a standout performer over the 2013 spring; claiming the Ranvet Maiden (1500m) by nearly two lengths before strolling home to win the Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) and finish sixth in the particularly well-contested Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) on October 5th.
Expected to be one of the performers of the 2014 autumn, Prince Cheri was disappointing when unable to match the late pace of Boban and sixth in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) before again struggling when finishing eighth in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (1900m) last time out.
With possible tilts at the Group 2 Doomben Roses (2020m) and Group 2 Eagle Farm Cup (2200m) looming this winter, Vandyke is hopeful of a return to health and form for Prince Cheri over the coming weeks.
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