VANNA GIRL CHASING GLORY AT HOME TRACK
AS Vanna Girl prepares to rumble on her home Gold Coast track, Trent Edmonds has declared Saturday’s Group 2 Hollindale Stakes so strong it resembles a Cox Plate field.
“It’s probably the best Hollindale ever,” Edmonds said. “You’ve got your Makybe Diva Stakes and races like that in the Victorian spring, but this race on Saturday is every bit as good, probably better.
“It’s like a Cox Plate field.” There is no doubt the $500,000 Hollindale will be one of the highlights of racing around the country on Saturday, with big-name contenders such as Avilius, Melody Belle, Fifty Stars, Homesman along with promising import Zaaki taking part. Godolphin warrior Avilius is TAB $4.80 favourite, while Vanna Girl is a $19 chance in the 1800m event.
Edmonds, who co-trains with father Toby, says they won’t be making the same mistake as they did when the mare finished seventh in the Group 1 Queen of the Turf Stakes at Randwick last month.
On that day, Vanna Girl drew barrier one and Damien Oliver rode her closer than she is normally ridden but the plan in the Hollindale is for jockey Brad Stewart to be more conservative.
“I’ve got no doubt she will run really well. We are going to ride her a little bit steadier as well which suits her best,” Edmonds said.