Yankee Rose claims Spring Champion Stakes

Yankee Rose has become the first filly to win the Spring Champion Stakes, confirming plans to take on Winx in the Cox Plate.

In what was an afterthought race at Randwick on Saturday for one of Australia’s best fillies, Yankee Rose unwound an impressive finish to beat Swear and Prized Icon in the last Group One contest of the Sydney spring carnival.

Trainer David Vandyke said he made Yankee Rose a late entry for the Spring Champion after the three-year-old came through her Flight Stakes placing last week in mint condition.

“She put on five kilos, she was eating up and I couldn’t fault her,” Vandyke said.

Dean Yendall rode Yankee Rose and the leading Victorian jockey will have the Cox Plate mount because he is a natural lightweight.

Yankee Rose firmed from $26 to $17 for the Cox Plate and her VRC Oaks quote has been cut from $6 to $4.40.