Sydney’s leading trainer Chris Waller is confident that his tough filly Foxplay will handle her first test over 2000m when she lines up in the Group 1 $500,000 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.
Foxplay, above, is stepping up to the 2o00m of the Vinery Stud Stakes for the first time. Photo by Steve Hart.
Foxplay found the winner’s stall at her third Autumn Carnival run when she came from well back in the field to defeat Zenalicious in the Group 2 $200,000 Cellarbrations Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on March 11.
“I don’t think 2000m will be a problem,” Waller said.
“She is coming off a good win last start in the Phar Lap Stakes, She was plenty of people talking after the race with some good pace on up front but she certainly showed that 1500m was no problem.”
Foxplay has won on a heavy track in the past but Waller considers her to be at her best on something so wet but she did handle the Soft 6 in winning the Phar Lap Staks.
“I think she is better on a soft track but can handle a heavy track,” Waller said.
“At least it will help her travel most of the way and her determination is probably second to none so she is going to be fighting out the finish on Saturday in the Group 1.”
Hugh Bowman is back aboard Foxplay, replacing the suspended Kerrin McEvoy and agrees that Foxplay is not at her best on a heavy track.
“Going into the weekend, first time at 2000m on a real Heavy track, you can’t help but cast doubt over the filly because her attribute is that turn of foot, she has a really electric burst of speed when I need it, whether she can produce that on Heavy ground I’m not sure,” Bowman told racing.com.
Waller will also saddle up the in-form Dawn Wall who is stepping up in distance and class after scoring a hat trick of wins with her victory in the Group 3 $200,000 Arrowfield Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) at Kembla Grange on March 10.
“Bit of a question mark her form on a wet track simply because she hasn’t raced on it,” Waller said.
“She is in unbelievable form. Won her last three starts, her latest being a Group 3 win.”
“I don’t think the distance will be a problem. Ben Melham takes over from Kerrin who is suspended.”
“She has drawn well but, whether that is a positive or a negative, from barrier three, at least it is not barrier one.”
“She will have some room to move.”
Foxplay sits at the top of the Vinery Stud Stakes market order at $3.40 with Ladbrokes.com.au ahead her stablemate Dawn Wall at $4.50, La Bella Diosa at $5 and Harlow Gold at $6.50.
