Foxplay stormed home in the concluding stages to record a maiden Group 1 victory in the 2017 Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Royal Randwick this afternoon.
Foxplay finished over the top of her rivals to take out the 2017 Queen Of The Turf Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart
Silent Sedition pressed forward in the early stages of the Queen Of The Turf Stakes before she was challenged for the lead by First Seal, while Kerrin McEvoy elected to settle Foxplay in the second half of the field.
Silent Sedition and First Seal kicked clear at the top of the straight, but they were sitting ducks at the 100 metre mark and Foxplay finished stronger than Zanbagh and Dixie Blossoms to record an impressive win.
McEvoy admitted after the race that not everything went to plan in the 2017 Queen Of The Turf Stakes, but he was quick to pay credit to the turn-of-foot showed by Foxplay as well as the training performance of Chris Waller.
“She is so honest and game and she deserves a Group 1,” McEvoy said.
“She has put up some great performances – last prep and this prep – and that was a great performance.
“I wanted to be a bit closer given the lack of speed in the race and I ended up being parked without much cover, but she travelled like a dream.
“I was a little bit worried at the top of the straight as they kept coming out in front of me and I had to keep going out wider and wider, but full credit to the filly she showed a great turn-of-foot there to get herself on top and prove how good she is.
“It is handy to be knocking them in on the big days and I am getting good support from trainers like Chris Waller.
“Fair play to him and his team.”
Foxplay had previously won at Group 2 level in the Furious Stakes, Tea Rose Stakes and Phar Lap Stakes, but her Queen Of The Turf Stakes win was her first victory at Group 1 level following her fourth place finishes in the Thousand Guineas and the Vinery Stud Stakes.
Zanbagh absolutely stormed home for second in another excellent performance, while Dixie Blossoms was far from disgraced in third.
