- Simon Crisford’s Oh So Grand won the BetMGM Winter Oaks handicap
- Trainer has predicted Vandeek will be one to watch in second half of the season
- Vandeek gave the Crisfords their first Group One success last summer
Simon Crisford would not be a regular visitor to Lingfield in early January but the trip paid off to the tune of £50,000 on Saturday.
With jump racing wiped out due to the inclement conditions, it fell to the Flat ranks to provide the excitement and Crisford, who trains in partnership with his son, Ed, most certainly did that thanks to a blistering performance from Oh So Grand.
This flying filly won the BetMGM Winter Oaks handicap with a blistering turn of speed but as pleasing as that performance was, Crisford could not help but look to the future and talk about his stable’s superstar.
Vandeek gave the Crisfords their first Group One success last summer, when scooting home in the Prix Morny at Deauville, and then thundered clear in Newmarket’s Middle Park Stakes.
Crisford has Haydock Park’s Sandy Lane Stakes in mind to launch Vandeek’s three-year-old campaign before sending the exuberant colt to Royal Ascot.
‘All eyes are on Vandeek and we have been really happy with him over the winter,’ said Crisford. ‘He’s trotting, looks great and has filled out a bit. We’ve got fingers crossed for a great campaign for him. ‘He’s going to be very busy in the second half of the season.’
Simon Crisford’s Oh So Grand won the BetMGM Winter Oaks handicap on Saturday
The trainer has predicted Vandeek will be one to watch in a busy second half of the season