Showgirl centre stage in Cox Plate

Wednesday, 19 October 2016 - Trainer David Vandyke says Group 1 Cox Plate contender Yankee Rose is a bit of a showgirl.

And AAP reports the filly gets her chance to shine on the big stage when she takes on the older horses for the first time in the weight-for-age contest at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

To be ridden by Dean Yendall, Yankee Rose will carry just 47.5kg and currently priced on the third line of markets at $15 behind $1.85 favourite Winx.

The daughter of Geisel Park Stud stallion All American is coming off a Group 1 victory against the colts in the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick on October 8.

Vandyke says Yankee Rose won't be put off by the crowd and the noise before Saturday's race. "The bigger the crowds the more she relishes it," Vandyke said after she worked at Moonee Valley on Tuesday morning.

"She gets quite agitated when she's in the stable and there's not many people around. She's a showgirl."

Yankee Rose has impressed track watchers with her two recent gallops at Moonee Valley, the only serious work she has done left-handed. "We didn't do anything before coming down," Vandyke said. "She's quite comfortable on either leg and I don't think it's a problem.

"I'm pretty excited competing in such a prestigious race. She has to put in a career-best performance to be competitive but she's on top of her game and there's no improvement in her fitness-wise.

"She's ready to get out there and show her best. The pressure is off after the Group 1 win at Randwick. We're going in as an underdog and we're just looking forward to enjoying the ride."

YANKEE ROSE - Cox Plate underdog under a hold at Moonee Valley

(Photo / Darryl Sherer)