Betfred Nifty Fifty Sandy Lane Stakes
Group 2, Haydock Park
£125,000 guaranteed,
3yo only,
6f, Class 1    
Sauturday 8th June 2024

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Vandeek, the unbeaten sprinter, is gearing up for an exciting three-year-old campaign. Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, this Havana Grey colt had a stellar juvenile season, winning all four of his starts as he progressed from maiden races to Group One level.

His victories included the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood on soft ground and a hard-fought win in the prestigious Prix Morny at Deauville on very soft going. However, it was his versatility that truly shone when he triumphed in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on good to firm ground.

Currently considered the ante-post favorite for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, Vandeek’s opening assignment this season will be the Sandy Lane Stakes, a six-furlong Group Two race for three-year-olds, scheduled for May 25. 

“He’s going well, he’s wintered well, but like everywhere else, I think Newmarket has struggled with the weather,” said Chris Wall, racing manager for owner Shaikh Khalid’s KHK Racing organisation.

“They’re on target with the horse but they haven’t always been able to do what they’ve wanted to do because various canters have been closed.

“He’s in good heart and coming along nicely, he’s aiming at the Sandy Lane at Haydock in May.”

Vandeek was a leggy two-year-old and he is reported to have grown further and filled out through the winter.

Wall added: “He’s done everything right, he’s grown a bit. He was a big enough lad last year but he has grown a bit more, he’s filled out and he looks a lot stronger.

“He’s done everything the right way, he hasn’t done any fast work, so it’s too early to see if there’s a corresponding increase in his ability but we’d like to think that he’ll at least be no worse than he was last year – and that’s probably good enough.”

Sandy Lane Stakes (Group 2)
£125,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 6f, Class 1
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