“All Systems Go”: Vandeek Primed For Prix Maurice De Gheest

[Wandering Eyes]

KHK Racing's multiple Group 1 winner Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) is “extremely well” after his G1 July Cup third and will head to the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest next month, co-trainer Ed Crisford confirmed on Friday.

“He's come out of the July Cup extremely well, we're really pleased with him,” said Crisford, who trains with his father Simon. “It's all systems go at the moment for the Prix Maurice de Gheest. He wasn't really right that first day on that heavy ground at Haydock, the July Cup was his first proper test and he ran with huge credit, but he's only going to improve mentally and fitness-wise.”

Vandeek won his first four starts–all at two–including the G2 Richmond Stakes, G1 Prix Morny, and the G1 Middle Park Stakes in succession. He lost his unbeaten tag when third to subsequent G1 Commonwealth Cup hero Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) in the G2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock in May. Removed from Royal Ascot consideration with well-publicised poor blood work, the grey was an encouraging third to Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) in Newmarket on July 13.

The younger Crisford added, “He just needed to get out and get racing really and get going for the second half of the season. Haydock didn't really go to plan, then he missed Ascot and then he had to have a bit of time after those bad bloods, and then we had to bring him back.

“You're going into a championship race in the July Cup and you've got to be 120%. He was great going to the July Cup, but the more racing any athlete gets they're going to improve from it.

“We're going to kick on to France and see where we go from there. I expect it'll be a very good field again, but he's won at Deauville before and six-and-a-half (furlongs) shouldn't be an issue for him.”

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