Out of luck in recent starts, the Les Kelly-trained Volpino will target the $2 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas following a dominant display in Saturday's Merry Christmas All From The BRC QTIS Three-Years-Old Handicap (1615m) at Doomben.
Given a peach of a ride by Damian Browne the 3yo son of Foxwedge hit the line strongly to defeat the favourite
In improving his record to 2 wins, 1 second and 2 thirds from 7 starts with earnings of $73,685, Volpino was due for a change of luck according to his trainer.
"He had no luck at his last start covering more ground than Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson," Kelly said
"He's improved and we think he will be a real contender next winter carnival but we are going to push on and freshen him up and go for the Magic Millions Guineas."
A $300,000 purchase by James Harron Bloodstock/Snowden Racing from the Newgate Farm consignment at the 2015 Magic Millions Gold Coast sale, Volpino was the second most expensive of 22 lots by Foxwedge at the sale.
He made two starts at two for the Snowdens before being switched to Les Kelly at the Gold Coast at the beginning of this campaign.
Volpino is the first foal of the winning Dane Shadow mare Bright Heart, whose current yearling, a colt by Snitzel, will be offered at the 2017 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale as Lot 393 by Rushton Park.
A $200,000 Magic Millions Yearling, Bright Heart placed behind You're Canny and Karuta Queen in the Listed Black Opal Stakes at Canberra. She is a granddaughter of the Snippets mare Lady Fidelia a four-time Listed stakes winner in Perth.
Currently placed second on the second crop sire's list, Foxwedge has 25
