A multiple Group winner at three, Volpe Veloce has firmed to outright
favouritism for the Group I Sistema Railway (1200m) on New Year's Day following
her blistering return to racing.The four-year-old accounted for Group I winners Heroic Valour, Melody Belle and Rangipo when she powered to victory in Saturday's Ray White NZ (1200m) at Ellerslie in an impressive dress rehearsal for the Group I Sistema Railway.
"I'm shaking, she did a lot wrong and still won," said Graham Richardson, who trains the mare with Gavin Parker. "That was amazing and it's definitely the Railway next."
Freshened after two failures in rain-affected tracks at the Hawke's Bay spring carnival, Volpe Veloce has firmed from $9 to $5 for the Railway. Defending champion Start Wondering shares the second line of betting at $7 with Heroic Valour.
On Saturday, Volpe Veloce sat back in fourth spot until the turn but when Heroic Valour went past her half-way down the straight, the Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained representative seemed set for victory.
"The second horse came out and looked to be travelling better, but she's very gutsy," Richardson said.
Successful rider Jake Bayliss was also understandably rich in his praise of Volpe Veloce.
"She's got stacks of ability. The race was run at a nice tempo and I had a lapful of horse," he said.
"When I asked her she didn't quicken that much, but when I asked for another effort she really dug deep."
A $240,000 Karaka yearling purchase from the Lyndhurst Farm draft, Volpe Veloce was a successful pinhook for Lyndhurst having been bought for $120,000 at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale from the Newgate Farm draft.
Bred by Nick and Amy Vass, she was foaled and raised at Newgate Farm and is a half-sister to stakes-winner Delago Bolt and is the fourth winner from Group III winner Bardego.
Volpe Veloce has the impressive record of nine wins from 12 starts.
Denise Martin's Star Thoroughbreds enjoyed another trip to the winner's circle at Rosehill on Saturday with progressive Foxwedge mare Noire.
Prepared by Chris Waller, the four year-old won easily at her first run back
from a spell at Canterbury last month and kept up the good work to surge clear
and win the Benchmark 83 event by a length over 1400 metres.A $135,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Star from the Highgrove Stud draft, Noire has four wins and two seconds from eight starts with prizemoney just shy of $160,000.
She has put together an impressive record with the only thing missing being Black Type which is likely to be targeted during the New Year.
Noire is a half-sister to stakes-placed Global Dream, Maraatib and Valoura being the seventh winner from good producer Valadon, a half-sister to Group II winners Timbourina and Media.
Foxwedge has 16 entries for Magic Millions and 13 for Inglis Classic.
