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Misting bids for Queensland Oaks
Mon 12 May 2025
By Glenn Davis
Trainer David Vandyke fears time may be against ambitions for promising filly Misting to book a start in next month’s Group 1 Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm.
Misting returned to racing for her winter campaign with an eye-catching second in a 1400 metre Class 1 Handicap at the Sunshine Coast on March 14.
The daughter of Cosmic Force was due to run at the Sunshine Coast grass meeting on Sunday before it was washed out, which added extra pressure on Vandyke’s Queensland Oaks plans.
Instead, she will now have a crucial start in the Class 4 Handicap over 1680 metres at Ipswich on Wednesday.
“The rain has been a massive disruption for a lot of my horses but we’re all in the same boat,” Vandyke said.
“Misting has just about got enough money to qualify for the Queensland Oaks and it won’t be the end of the world if she misses out as she’s just at the start of her career.
“She’s out of her grade a bit on Wednesday but she needs a run and hopefully she’ll show us enough to warrant going on to the Oaks.”
Vandyke is hopeful Misting can overcome a “messy” campaign in her Ipswich assignment.
“It’s been a bit messy with the wet weather we’ve had but if she runs well at Ipswich, she’ll be a chance of running in The Roses as a lead-up to the Queensland Oaks,” he said.
Vandyke already has a strong hand in the Queensland Oaks with star filly Philia who burst into contention with a dominant win in the Listed Princess Stakes at Eagle Farm last month.
The Sunshine Coast conditioner was glad he bypassed the Gold Coast meeting last Saturday with Philia who will have her next start in the Group 2 The Roses over 2000 metres at Doomben on Saturday week.
“It was a very heavy track on Saturday and I doubt she would have eaten up after the races had she run,” he said.
Philia’s half-sister Duais won the Queensland Oaks in 2021 while Vandyke claimed the feature with Gypsy Goddess the following year.
Misting is raced by the same connections as Gypsy Goddess and is currently a $51 outsider for the Queensland Oaks while Philia is an $11 chance.
Vandyke has always had a big opinion of Misting and had hoped to send her to New Zealand for the three-year-old Karaka Millions race over 1600 metres in January.
“She was eligible for the Karaka Millions and we did look at it, but it didn’t work out as she was looking for the paddock around that time,” he said.