Fifth on debut in the Group III ATC Widden Stakes back on January 30, the Chris Waller trained Foxplay has always shown above average ability and broke through for her maiden win in June at Rosehill. (images Steve Hart)
Sent for a short break after finishing second at the same venue in July,
Foxplay was taking a big step up in class taking on stakes class fillies and
rose to the challenge.Under a superb ride from Hugh Bowman, Foxplay unwound an electrifying finish to gun down the leader Bacarella before powering clear to win the 1200 metre sprint by a dominant length and three-quarters.
"To reel in that leader was a big effort,” said Waller.
"She's done everything right and was only beaten at her last run during the winter under a big weight.
"We picked this race out for her after that, so it's good to see her win it.”
Waller confirmed Foxplay will progress through the Princess Series with the Group II ATC Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) the next target in two weeks time.
A $160,000 Magic Millions purchase for Star Thoroughbreds from the Newgate Farm draft, Foxplay runs for a big syndicate of enthusiastic owners and has now won over $200,000 in prizemoney with two wins and two seconds from six starts.
"It's fabulous… just wonderful,” said an elated Denise Martin.
"She's always been strong in her races. She just wants to do it. She's a ripper!”
Bred by SF Bloodstock, Foxplay is the third winner from three foals to race
from imported stakes-winner Butters (USA), a daughter of leading sire El Prado
from the family of Group I Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Eliza.Butters has changed hands several times since Foxplay was born, most recently in 2015 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale when she fetched just $6,000.
She has no yearling for the sales next year and was covered last spring by Animal Kingdom (USA).
Foxplay is the second stakes-winner for Newgate Farm's foundation sire Foxwedge and is one of more than 20 first crop winners in both hemispheres for the Group I winning son of Fastnet Rock.
Foxwedge stands this spring at a fee of $22,000.
