Vandyke’s happy call

DAVID Vandyke has no regrets a year into his move to Queensland as the former Sydney trainer prepares to saddle up four runners at Ballina.

Vandyke, who once battled alcohol and drug problems but is now clean, moved from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast little more than a year ago and hasn’t looked back.

“I love it up here,” he said. “I’m just enjoying life and I’m in a good place personally and physically.”

Vandyke has prepared three winners from his past five starters alone and looks set to continue his purple patch at Ballina today.

Vandyke labelled The Mechanic (Race 2) the pick of his runners providing he gets through the heavy ground.

“I’m not sure how he will go on a heavy track and he is a bit of a heavy-set horse,” Vandyke said.

“But I’m hoping his class will prevail as I think he is going to be a serious metropolitan horse as he progresses into his career.”

Vandyke will also saddle up Lord Marmaduke (Race 4), Royal Receiver (Race 5) and Trois Choix (Race 7) today.