Foxwedge Mare Back Better Than Ever

Media Release - Tuesday September 25

Group One winning mare Volpe Veloce stepped out at the Te Teko trials on Tuesday and was an impressive winner over 1010m.

The Graham Richardson and Gavin Parker-trained mare is not far away from resuming and has benefited from a winter spent in Queensland.

"I'm very happy," Richardson said.

"She probably did a little bit more than what I wanted today, but Michael Coleman rode her and he is really pleased with her. She had a nice blow and she is where we want her."

The winner of 10 of her 17 starts, Volpe Veloce had a two-start winter campaign in Queensland where she finished sixth in the Gr.1 Kingsford-Smith Cup (1350m) and tenth in the Gr.1 Tattersalls Tiara (1350m), where she was beaten less than three lengths.Volpe Veloce

"She had a bit of a tough trip back from Brisbane to Sydney then over here, but she spelled very well at Caloundra," Richardson said.

"She has done well because of it. She is good in the coat and she has got a good middle to her now.

"As a three-year-old she always raced a little bit light, but now she really looks like she has come of age.

"She is really big and strong now. This is her year I think."

The Gr.1 Railway Stakes (1200m) winner is likely to resume at Rotorua on October 20 in the Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) before Richardson and Parker make longer term plans.

"She will run at Rotorua and then we will make a plan as to what direction we take," Richardson said.

Advertisement

Richardson said he was contemplating running the five-year-old daughter of Foxwedge in blinkers first-up, and he feels that 1400m to a mile will be more suitable this term.

"I like the thought of the Railway again, you've obviously got the Telegraph, but instead of the Telegraph maybe we will look at the BCD Group Sprint (Gr.1, 1400m) at Te Rapa," he said.

"She's got a big action and I think she will be even better up to a mile this preparation, but we will see."

Although Jake Bayliss was aboard Volpe Veloce when successful in the Railway Stakes earlier this year, Michael Coleman has been confirmed as Volpe Veloce's rider this campaign.

"Jake did a fantastic job, but the owners have made the decision," Richardson said. "They're both very good riders."

Meanwhile, Richardson is pleased with some of the younger members of his team that are likely to step out over the coming weeks.

"I've got some really nice young horses. I've got a few going around on Wednesday at Matamata including four three-year-olds that will run in maiden 1400s that I like.

"I also have another Foxwedge filly called Ana Zorra that shows promise and she will run at Taupo on October 10, so the team is coming along nicely." – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing Another Stakes Win
The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).
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.
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
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.
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.
Expensive North Pacific Salutes at Geelong
The highest priced yearling for first season sire North Pacific, promising two year-old filly Angel Ladder opened her account with a tenacious win at Geelong on Friday.
Lookalike Star Turn Colt Franks Hot Form Race
When Angel Ladder won the first race at Geelong coming out of the VRC Next Gen Series Sprinters Final won by Jimmy Recard, you would think punters would have looked closely at Redders in the following event coming out of the same race, but he slipped under their guard.