Foxwedge's Alassio Earns Shot at Coolmore Classic

Mark Smith - Saturday March 2

Backing up off her maiden stakes win in the Group III Triscay Stakes, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained mare Alassio added a gutsy win in Saturday's Group II Guy Walter Proven Thoroughbreds Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.

Settled up on the pace by Tim Clark, the 5yo daughter of Foxwedge turned back the challenge of Dixie Blossoms (Street Sense) who was striving for a historic third consecutive win in the race. (images Steve Hart)

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"Such an honest mare," Clark said.

"She had the perfect run again, like a couple of weeks ago I just slipstreamed the leader. She was always a bit of a question mark at 1400m but Gai and Adrian's horses they find the line. She's in great order at the moment and she deserves everything that comes her way.

"In a couple of weeks time is the (Group 1) Coolmore (Classic) and I would say they will definitely look at that. This race today is normally a good lead up for that race.

"She's a five-year-old and that was only her tenth starts so she's been through a lot but she's done a mighty job."

Stable representative Neil Paine confirmed that the Coolmore Classic was the likely target.

"Tim just had her relaxed, bowled along and kept giving and giving. She's a gutsy mare," Paine said. 

"She hit the lead at the 300m and kept going. They were chasing and she never gave in. They are a great bunch of owners and Gai and Adrian will be over the moon.

"She's done a tough 1400m today so why couldn't she run and win the Coolmore over 1500m."

Purchased by G Waterhouse / J Blaxland for $50,000 out of the Emirates Park draft at session two of the 2015 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Alassio advances her record to 6 wins, 1 second and 1 third from 10 starts with earnings of $352,415.

Emirates Park purchased Alassio's stakes-winning dam Cinque for $150,000 at the 2013 Inglis Australian Easter Broodmare Sale when carrying Alassio.

From a strong international family, Cinque went back through the ring 2016 and 2018 making $10,000 and $2,000 respectively. She did not have a live foal for four years before foaling a Denman filly last spring.

A daughter of Red Ransom (USA), Cinque is also the dam of the Redoute's Choice mare Sport Chic who is the dam of Dundeel's multiple stakes-placed 3yo Dealmaker.

Alassio is one of 12 stakes-winner for Foxwedge. The son of Fastnet Rock was the foundation stallion at Newgate Farm but after seven seasons he will head south this year to Woodside Stud where he will stand alongside Written Tycoon, Tosen Stardom, Cable Bay and Rich Enuff.

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