Edmonds makes new plans for Vanna Girl

Trainer Toby Edmonds’ Classic hopes for Vanna Girl are over but she will run at Doomben.

Trainer Toby Edmonds is resigned to talented filly Vanna Girl missing her chance at black-type this winter but he is still planning to continue her campaign.

Racing in Queensland will be divided into regions from Tuesday because of the coronavirus pandemic and the Toby and Trent Edmonds’ team is based on the Gold Coast.

It means the stable’s runners will be restricted to week day meetings at the Gold Coast, Ipswich and Toowoomba.

Toby Edmonds is also hoping his horses can race in the Northern Rivers region of NSW during current cross-border restrictions.

“The horses can travel to the Northern Rivers but we can’t go with them,” Edmonds said.

“We just have to arrange someone to meet them at the other end and then send them back.

“The only problem is we can’t use our jockeys.”

Edmonds runs one of Queensland’s biggest stables and employs close to 40 staff.

“It isn’t just me but the entire industry must keep going,” Edmonds said.

“My staff has been obeying strict hygiene regimes as they realise it is their livelihoods at stake.”

Edmonds has been looking at the race programs for the coming month for his horses including Vanna Girl.

“It will take us a good while to work out where our horses are going. It is a lot to digest,” Edmonds said.

“We are resigned to Vanna Girl missing a chance at black-type as a three-year-old but hopefully she can get it later in her career.”

Vanna Girl has shown potential with wins in two three-year-old handicaps over 1600m before going for a short break in early February.

She starts her campaign in the Saturday’s QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1350m) at Doomben.

Edmonds said Vanna Girl gave every indication she would get a staying trip.

“I liked the way she trialled on Monday. Matt McGillivray came down to ride her in the trial and he was happy as well,” Edmonds said.

Edmonds trained Vanna Girl’s half sister Plucky Girl to win eight races.

“Plucky Girl was one of the most honest horses I have had and Vanna Girl is much the same,” he said.