Matamata trainer Graham Richardson is looking forward to next season with exciting juvenile Volpe Veloce, after the filly brilliantly won the Listed $50,000 John Turkington Forestry Castletown Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui on Saturday.
The daughter of Foxbridge won on her debut at Matamata on March 30, winning by two and a quarter lengths. A step up to stakes company, the race looked on paper between herself and another debut winner Honey Rider from the strong Baker-Forsman stable.
Jockey Johnathan Parkes, settled Volpe Veloce handy to the leaders but strode clear of her rivals soon after turning for home winning by two and three quarter lengths to Honey Rider. First starter Technician finished third, after setting the pace.
"I don't like getting carried, I'll let her do the talking. She's smart," winning trainer Richardson said.
Richardson has high hopes for Volpe Veloce next season, and is likely to run in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year series races like his filly Strada Cavallo did this season. Strada Cavallo had placings in the Group One NZ 1000 Guineas and the NZ Oaks.
Rider Johnathan Parkes was impressed. "She did it easy and done the job well. You'll see a lot more of her next (in her three-year-old) season. She's definitely one to look out for."
Volpe Veloce will now spell and will resume in the Group Three Gold Trail Stakes at Hastings in September.
Purchased for $240,000 at the Karaka Premier Sale, Volpe Veloce is a half-sister to the Australian stakes winner Delago Bolt. Volpe Veloce is Australian sire, Foxbridge's first stakes winner.
