16 hours ago
David Vandyke will chat with the owners of Philia before deciding whether to chase spring riches in Sydney or Melbourne
Sunshine Coast trainer David Vandyke will hold a roundtable discussion with the owners of brilliant filly Philia before deciding whether to chase spring riches in Sydney or Melbourne.
But the one thing set in concrete is that Philia will enjoy a deserved six-week break after her meteoric rise when she went from a maiden winner in late February to a brave, but ultimately fruitless, effort in this month's Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m).
Philia went into the Oaks on a four-race winning streak but her campaign came to a flat end when the daughter of All Too Hard could only manage eighth in the $700,000 contest won by the Kris Lees -trained You Wahng at Eagle Farm.
Irwin Racing and Harris Family Racing own the talented three-year-old filly, who has won four of her seven races and just under $358,000 in prizemoney.
'We're considering options in Victoria and Sydney,' Vandyke said on Sunday.
'We're not sure which direction we'll go yet. One of the owners is overseas (in Aspen, Colorado) at the moment.
'The only thing set in stone is that we'll give Philia a six-week break now and during that period I'll meet with the owners to discuss which direction we head.
'They're all very knowledgeable and intelligent people. It'll just be nice if we can have a roundtable discussion and share all our thoughts before making a firm decision.
'There's some great prizemoney in Sydney now with the Silver Eagle and Golden Eagle and races like that.'
. @KPMcEvoy guides Philia to victory in The Roses for @vandykeracing13!
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025
The Group 1 Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 1 is worth a massive $10 million while the lead-up Group 3 Silver Eagle (1300m) on October 18 at Randwick offers $1m in prizemoney.
Vandyke said Philia could take a different path in Melbourne to compete in the $300,000 Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) on October 18 at Caulfield before heading to the $1m Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington two weeks later.
'I definitely won't give her more than three runs in the spring, preferably two,' Vandyke said.
'Then we'll really concentrate on a good, hard prep for her in the autumn.'
Vandyke said the signs pointed to Philia being competitive against top-class opposition down south.
TAB has posted Philia as a $26 chance in the Empire Rose Stakes and $51 in the Golden Eagle.
Philia dominates Race 7 at Eagle Farm for @vandykeracing13! @KPMcEvoy
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 26, 2025
• 'That's their Melbourne Cup': Dolan delivers on Oughton in Eye Liner
'She'll improve from the break and the experience that she's got from this preparation,' he said.
'How much she improves remains to be seen but she's a lovely horse and time will be her friend.
'Going from a maiden to a Group 2 win (in the 2000m The Roses at Doomben on May 24) is wonderful and she's obviously a valuable asset now.
'We'll just protect her and look forward to hopefully seeing her build on her record.'
