Talented filly Foxplay overcame a number of hurdles to record a most impressive win in the 2017 Phar Lap Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon.

Foxplay could hardly have been more impressive in the 2017 Phar Lap Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart

Foxplay was settled in the second half of the Phar Lap Stakes field in the early stages of the race and she looked as though she was under plenty of pressure under heavy riding at the 600 metre mark.

She eventually picked up, but she ran into the back of the main group and she was unbalanced for a number of strides.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy was eventually able to balance Foxplay up and she flew home in the final stages and she ran down Zenalicious to claim victory.

McEvoy admitted after the race that not everything went to plan in the Phar Lap Stakes and he was quick to pay credit to Foxplay for getting him out of trouble.

“They ended up rolling along pretty solid I thought and I was just a bit worried that I was too far back,” McEvoy said.

“I ended up cutting the corner just to give myself options and I was finishing really well.

“I ended up following into a bit of a dead end and I asked her to steady for a few strides before I followed Timmy through on Zenalicious.

“Full credit to the filly, she picked up really well when I asked her and she got me out of trouble.

“She has a great attitude and that is why she has such a great record.”

Chris Waller stable representative Charlie Duckworth revealed after the race that he was not happy with the way that Foxplay was travelling heading into the straight, but he was delighted with the way that she found the line.

There are a host of different options for Foxplay heading towards The Championships and she has been included in the nominations for a host of Group 1 events, but he said the stable will wait until they see how the talented filly pulls-up before they make a decision on her next race start.

“I was just saying that I hoped Kerrin wasn’t in the same panic I was as they came to the turn.

“It was a brilliant victory and she has done well to pick herself up off the turn.

“She had to change course with about 200 left to run and it was really gutsy.

“It is easy to say to owners put a line through their last start, but when they actually come out and perform like she did today it all makes sense.

“She obviously has a serious turn-of-foot at this distance, but we could step-up her up in trip.

“I will leave that decision up to Chris and see how she comes out of today.”

Zenalicious lost no admirers with her second place finish and Comic Set produced a stellar effort for third.