Grafton preview: Trainer David Vandyke to unleash three strong contenders including Lucifer's Way to add to his impressive stats

News.com.au

05-07-2025

Former Sydney and now Sunshine Coast based trainer David Vandyke is very astute in finding just the right race for his horses which is reflected in his amazing strike rate.
Vandyke has prepared over 770 winners in his career at an amazing strike rate of 21 per cent along with over 980 placegetters at 48 per cent.
Vandyke makes a rare trip back across the border this weekend ready to hit the target with three strong contenders and add to his impressive statistics.
Leading the charge is Lucifer's Way who broke through for his maiden success at start three with a head win from Atomic Gozen on his home track on June 22.
'He's a lovely horse but just hasn't put it together as expected on race day,' said Vandyke.
'He got there last start. It wasn't impressive but the got the job done.'
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The son of Hellbent is looking to make it back-to-back victories when he contests the Grafton Sheetmetal Class 1 Handicap (1190m).
'We didn't want to raise the bar too high and just wanted to go somewhere he was going to be competitive again and help build his confidence,' he said.
'This looks like a nice race for him to do that.
'I thought it was a drop back in quality in some ways when I saw this race going from provincial back to country grade.
'I don't think a bit of give in the track will worry him and he has drawn well so we are happy to go down to a race that doesn't look to have a lot of depth.
'He's a beautiful big horse, he makes his own luck racing on pace.
'He will probably be looking the winner when they straighten and hopefully he can go on it done again.'
Vandyke was pleased with the development Private Equity made from her first campaign and that has been reflected in her two runs this time in.
After a fourth to King Boom over 1200m at Ipswich first-up, she justified her short price with a win from He Is The Kiss at the Sunshine Coast on June 8.
While the margin was only a nose, there was plenty of merit to the performance according to Vandyke.
'She was looking for 1200 metres but I took her back to 1000 metres because it looked a suitable race for her,' he said.
'She was ridden a little out of her comfort zone and she had a terrible run up the straight.
'She really had to bullock her way out into the clear but she hit the line very strong.
'She has come on nicely from the win.'
The four-year-old will appreciate a step up in trip when she contests the Who's Charlie Here On South Cup Sunday Class 1 Handicap (1190m) where she is at double figure odds.
'I think this mare will be competitive if she gets a decent run from the gate,' Vandyke said.
'The distance will suit her much better and at the price, she is worth the price of a bus ticket each-way.'
His other runner is Jimmy's Brother who makes his debut in the Williams Group Australia 2YO Springboard Prelude Maiden Plate (1015m).
'He is a half-brother to Slippin Jimmy who won at Grafton (on Cup Day) last year,' said Vandyke.
'He's showing some of the family traits. He's got speed and he's tough.
'We were keen to send down there this weekend from the good gate.
'He's got good speed, he a beautiful horse and it would be no surprise to see him finish in the top three.'
ADAM SHERRY'S TOP SELECTIONS
BEST BET
Race 4 No. 5: STYLEBENDER
Racing in terrific form and can bring up the hat-trick.
NEXT BEST
Race 1 No. 11: SECRET ROSE
Nice efforts to place in both runs and can break through.
VALUE BET
Race 7 No. 7: PRIVATE EQUITY
Gutsy effort to win last start and will make her presence felt again. \
QUADDIE
Race 6: 1, 2
Race 7: 1, 4, 7, 8
Race 8: 2, 3, 9
Race 9: 2, 5, 6, 12
JOCKEY TO FOLLOW
CEJAY GRAHAM has a strong book of rides and looks a good chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge.
INSIDE MAIL – GRAFTON
SECRET ROSE (11) was good in placing in her only two starts at the God Coast and Sunshine Coast in February. Readied for this with a handy second in her recent trial. EXOFLOW (2) raced wide without cover when third on debut at Coffs Harbour in January. Nice trial win at the Gold Coast on June 17. ZHONGXIN KOALA (6) worked home for third on debut at Ipswich. Left in front when sixth at Doomben last start.
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JIMMY'S BROTHER (2) is a half to the progressive Slippin Jimmy. Railed through to lead and kept under a hold when second in his May 27 Sunshine Coast trial. THE TORQUE XPRESS (5) is a first starter by Toronado. Rolled to the front to win his Deagon trial then came from back and wide to win his Murwillumbah heat. LA POTENZA (9) was backed from $4.60 to $3.10 when a neck third to Summation on debut. Will be better for the run.
Bet: Jimmy's Brother to win
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INSINUATE (4) led and battled away when a half-length third to Under The Palais over 1550m at Murwillumbah last start. Won over 1400m at Casino two runs earlier and back to that trip here. BACKSTAGE (2) was a debut winner on the heavy and placed three of his next four. Worked from the widest gate to sit outside the leader when sixth at the Gold Coast last start. RONNY BEE (9) will be better for his first-up third over 1280m at Muswellbrook. Extra trip suits.
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STYLEBENDER (5) has found his best form this campaign winning three from five including his last two. Had to be checked at the 200m in his only failure at Canterbury. Big chance for the hat-trick. CASCADE MOUNTAIN (6) has been up a long while but continues to race very well. Back up to a suitable trip this time. FULL OF SINCERITY (1) comes off a half-length second to Feathertop at Murwillumbah last start. Wasn't far away in his three previous runs.
Bet: Stylebender to win
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RACE 5: Maclean Hotel Country Boosted Mdn Plate 1720m
GOLD PUMA (13) came from last when fourth at the Gold Coast two starts back. Held up rounding the turn when a half-length second to Rock The Machine at Port Macquarie on June 24. FLEE WITH ME (12) was a handy third over 1400m at Inverell before a three-quarter length second to Moana Kohala over 1630m here last start. Ready for the 1720m. FANTASTIC BEAST (2) was carried wider on the home turn when a length third to Fejer Dawn over 1600m at Tamworth last start.
Bet: Gold Puma to win
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LUCIFER'S WAY (1) placed at his first two starts as favourite before breaking through with a head win from Atomic Gozen at the Sunshine Coast last start. Can go back-to-back. CITY GOLD SPEED (2) took improvement from his debut third to I Am Brace at Scone before winning at Inverell as a $1.30 fav last start. Will be prominent again. CHAMPONNET (4) will find this easier than his last run at Doomben. Resumed with a near three length win over 1200m at Casino.
Bet: Lucifer's Way to win
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PRIVATE EQUITY (7) was held up rounding the home turn until the 200m when she pushed her way into the clear to score at the Sunshine Coast last start. Will make her presence felt again. DASHING BASICS (4) won nicely at Gatton before a second over 1100m at Ipswich last start. STAR PREDICTION (1) was good winning last start after two handy second placings.
Bet: Private Equity each-way
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MAXIMUM VORTEX (2) has had a long preparation but continues to race well. Was third to Ouroboros at Eagle Farm three runs back and third at the Gold Coast last start. Has won five from seven here with three at this trip. MOSKEETA (3) has four wins and three placings from eight starts including two from two at the distance. YENDY (9) was just behind the placegetters at Eagle Farm and Doomben before a second at Coffs Harbour. Back to 1190m suits.
WRITTEN FAME (5) resumed last campaign with a second over 1200m at Lismore before winning over 1100m on the heavy at Murwillumbah. Won first-up over 1010m the previous preparation. Can kick off with a win over 1115m. PIERRE CARDINNIGAN (6) was a narrow runner-up on debut. Trialled very well to win his Murwillumbah heat on June 22. JEWELS STATEMENT (2) is better than her last two runs. Go on her Apr 13 win here.