Blinkers are expected to be a key element for star filly Yankee Rose when she tackles the Group One Golden Rose.
The David Vandyke-trained Yankee Rose trialled only fairly at the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday after a setback last week.
“I was a bit disappointed but she has always been a different horse under race pressure,” Vandyke said.
Yankee Rose hasn’t started since winning the Group One ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes on April 2 and has had three trials in the lead-up to the Golden Rose at Rosehill on September 10.
In the third of the trials, she was second over 1200m after giving the leaders about five lengths coming to the home turn.
Vandyke confirmed she would travel south for the Group One Golden Rose on Saturday week.
Hong Kong-based Australian Zac Purton, who rode her to her Sires’ win, will again be aboard.
Yankee Rose is also entered for the Group One Thousand Guineas and the Group One Cox Plate.
Brisbane mare Hidden Pearl is likely to run in Sydney on Saturday in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick.
Trainer Barry Lockwood has also entered Hidden Pearl, who has won both her starts since a spell, in an open handicap in Brisbane.
“I will make a final decision on Wednesday morning but at this stage we going to Sydney with Bridget Grylls to ride,” Lockwood said.
