Foxwedge Mare Chasing New Year's Day Group One

Media Release - Sunday December 31
Matamata trainer Graham Richardson admits the nerves aren't far from the surface as he contemplates what could be a very big day for his stable at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.

Volpe VeloceRichardson and training partner Gavin Parker are well represented throughout many of the feature events on the day with Gr. 1 Sistema Railway (1200m) candidate Volpe Veloce spearheading their raceday contingent at New Zealand's premier venue.

The four-year-old Foxwedge mare will attempt to keep her perfect record at both the course and distance intact when she tackles the cream of the country's sprinting talent at just her 13th start. It's a fact not lost on Richardson who has seen his charge come a long way in a relatively short period.

"She is still just learning the game really," he said.

"She can still do a lot wrong in her races which is just a maturity thing, however, there have been some signs lately she is starting to get her act together.

"She used to be a real handful on raceday but now when you put the saddle on she calms down quite remarkably. In saying that I think she will always be a quirky character and her antics around the stable can be a little wearing.

"Let's just say you wouldn't want to be married to her."

Despite those characteristics, Richardson makes no bones about his high regard for the mare who he believes can take out her first elite level victory with a little luck on her side.

"She is a very very good horse and I think she is a big chance if she can find some luck," he said.

"She didn't get any favours with the barrier draw but with the speed likely to be on from the jump it should give her a chance to slot in somewhere.

"Jake (Bayliss) is a top rider so he just has to have her where she is comfortable and then try and bring her into the race at the right time.

"We've kept her on the fresh side as she is at her best like that and I couldn't be happier with her."

Richardson is also looking for a change of fortune for his Gr. 2 Jamieson Park Auckland Guineas (1600m) candidate Xbox.

"He's a very promising type who didn't get a lot go right for him last time," he said of the Niagara gelding.

"He got held up twice and should have been a lot closer to the winner even though he did well to get second.

"He's meeting a strong field and has a tricky draw, but I definitely think he can be competitive with the right run."

The stable's black-type candidates don't end there with promising mare Wildflower set to tackle the Gr. 2 Laser Plumbing Te Puke Avondale Cup (2400m) while another up and comer in Tiptronic will take his place in the Gr. 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m).

"Both Wildflower and Tiptronic are up against it but they deserve their chance at a major prize," said Richardson.

"Wildflower has had an unorthodox preparation, but she is well and will relish the step up in distance while Tiptronic is a far better horse than his last start suggests.

"He gets in to the Rich Hill on the minimum and I think he has the talent to compete at that level." – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Inglis Ready 2 Race Entries Open
Entries for the Inglis Ready2Race Sale – Australasia’s most progressive 2YO Sale – are now open.
Third Stakes Success For Justify’s Spicy Martini
A winner of four from six, three at stakes level highlighted by the reschedule Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1350m), the Toby Edmonds & Stephen McLean trained Spicy Martini (Justify) will now head to the Group 1 Stradbroke with just 49.5kgs on her back – not bad for an $8,000 online yearling purchase!
A Passion That Lasts a Lifetime
A passion for pedigrees and thoroughbreds is often one that lasts a lifetime and so it has been for one of the co-breeders of Bravery, who contacted me this week following our earlier and very well read story on current 2YO star Cool Archie.
Soft Win for Foxwedge Mare
Quality Foxwedge mare Into the Abyss has been taking on tough Black Type races since resuming from a spell and dropped back to midweek grade at Warwick Farm on Monday was able to return to winning form with a powerful victory under 60kg.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 4
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Star Foxwedge Mare Chasing Another G1 Before Retirement
Volpe Veloce gave trainer Graham Richardson one of his biggest moments in racing when she won the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) two years ago and he is hoping to finish her career on a similar high.
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 5
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Star Kiwi Foxwedge Mare Primed for G2 Theo Marks
Group One winner Volpe Veloce will have the opportunity to continue an impressive streak when she lines-up in the Group II  Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Foxwedge Fillies Show Their Class
A new addition to Woodside Park in Victoria this spring, Foxwedge showed his class over a big weekend of racing producing Group performers at three successive meetings starting last Friday night at Moonee Valley where up and coming three year-old filly Villami ran a terrific race at her first outing away from Sydney.
15th Stakes-Winner for Foxwedge
Talented Foxwedge mare Foxy Housewife has always threatened to win a Black Type race and the six year-old made the quantum leap at Wyong on Friday when taking out a hugely competitive $140,000 Listed Mona Lisa Stakes.