The glamour filly produced a Boxing Day special for trainer Graham Richardson,
who rated the win as one of the more satisfying of his career."I hid away in the jockeys' room and watched it by myself," he said. "I'm absolutely stoked for her and my owners. It's a big thrill, just fantastic."
The win was also one to savour for Volpe Veloce's jockey Johnathan Parkes, who has partnered the daughter of Foxwedge in five of her six wins, as it was his first riding success at Ellerslie.
"Her attitude is so professional, she's just a gem to ride," he said.
She has now taken the lead with 14 points in the NZ Bloodstock Filly of the Year series with the Group I NZ 1000 Guineas winner La Diosa on 12.
Volpe Veloce settled behind the pace on the fence on before Parkes got her off the rail across the top. She finished resolutely in the straight to account for the central districts visitor Storytime with Date Night a brave third ahead of Devise and Glass Slipper.
"Once I got out she did the rest," Parkes said. "I think she's a filly that will definitely stay. She is very relaxed in her races."
Richardson is keen to give Volpe Veloce her chance over 2400 metres next year.
"Her long-term goal is the New Zealand Oaks and she might go to Trentham for the mile down there as well," he said, referring to the Group I Randwick Meats Levin Classic on January 14. "It's all about winning and getting more black type."
A $240,000 Karaka yearling purchase from the Lyndhurst Farm draft, Volpe Veloce was a successful pinhook for Lyndhurst having been bought for $120,000 at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale from the Newgate Farm draft.
Bred by Nick and Amy Vass, she was foaled and raised at Newgate Farm and is a
half-sister to stakes-winner Delago Bolt and is the fourth winner from Group
III winner Bardego, who was on-sold last year for $46,000 at the Magic Millions
National Broodmare Sale with Randwick Bloodstock the buyer for Rushton Park.A Foxwedge colt from Bardego fetched $150,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale this year and Rushton Park will offer the current yearling from Bardego, a full sister to Volpe Veloce at the 2017 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale as Lot 365.
With over $1million in Australian progeny earnings this season, Foxwedge has strong representation at upcoming sales with 27 yearlings entered for Magic Millions and 17 for Inglis Classic.
