The first race at Moonee Valley last night produced an impressive maiden winner for the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable.
Three year-old American Pharoah (USA) filly Foxy Cleopatra was sent off a short priced favourite on the strength of her good third on debut at Sandown last month behind Tajneed and As Time Goes By, who both run today in the Group II VRC Edward Manifold Stakes.
She made it look all too easy in the Benchmark 64 event over 1600m, powering clear for Blake Shinn to win by more than three lengths eased down .
“She’s a lovely big scopey filly that presented very well and is a very laid back type that handled Moonee Valley very well at just her second start,” said Shinn.
“What I liked was she jumped well and I was able to put her into a spot, then she was a bit hot and cold, on and off the bridle, which I think is a good sign as she’s still learning and doesn’t really know her craft yet, but when the pressure went on she responded and it was a good test. Her class shone through.”
A $120,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Coolmore draft for her trainers, Fox Cleopatra is the first winner for unraced Fastnet Rock mare Casuarina Forest, a full sister to Group I winning sire Foxwedge and stakes-winner She’s a Fox.
Casuarina Forest has foaled this spring producing a colt by Justify (USA).
