Star Kiwi Foxwedge Mare Primed for G2 Theo Marks

Media Release - Thursday September 12

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.

Volpe Veloce"She has won a stakes race at the age of two, three, four, and five, I hope she can do it at six as well," Richardson said.

The daughter of Foxwedge will head into Saturday's race fresh-up after just one trial in New Zealand and Richardson is pleased he made the decision to send the mare over to Australia nearly three weeks ago.

"She is going well. I sent her over a little bit early just to get her acclimatised to the Sydney weather," he said.

"She is turning in her coat, but she will definitely improve in her coat once she has had this run.

"She is pretty forward, she had that trial in New Zealand, she worked up well on Saturday and on Tuesday morning and just did pace work this (Thursday) morning."

Richardson was delighted with her 1100m trial at Taupo last month, where she finished runner-up to More Wonder, and he is looking forward to lining up his stable star on Saturday.

"It was an extremely good trial," he said. "She is just a little bit stronger. She has still got the tough attitude and is getting better.

"They are good horses (she will face on Saturday) and are world-class, so it's going to be interesting."

Volpe Veloce will jump from barrier four with Andrew Adkins aboard.

"I can't draw that well in New Zealand, I am chuffed to draw it over here," Richardson said.

All going well after Saturday Volpe Veloce will return to Rosehill later this month for the Gr.2 Golden Pendant (1400m) before her connections decide on further targets.

"We have decided that she will go to these two and then we will sort out another programme after that," Richardson.

Back across the Tasman, Richardson will contest the Northern Districts Security Ruakaka Cup (2200m) with Suliman.

The six-year-old son of Redwood is in fine form of late winning at Te Rapa in July before finishing runner-up over 2100m at the same track last month.

Richardson is pleased with Suliman and is eyeing a potential Gr.3 Christchurch Casino New Cup (3200m) path for the gelding.

"He has worked up well," he said. "Ruakaka is a difficult track for horses having their first start there, but he is a go forward horse and hasn't got a lot of weight (54kg) on his back.

"It's a small but handy field, but he is well enough.

"We'll see how he goes on Saturday and then we will start looking towards the South Island." – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Soft Win for Foxwedge Mare
Quality Foxwedge mare Into the Abyss has been taking on tough Black Type races since resuming from a spell and dropped back to midweek grade at Warwick Farm on Monday was able to return to winning form with a powerful victory under 60kg.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
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.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
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.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.