Impressive Debut for Foxwedge 2YO

The two year-old maiden at Randwick on Boxing Day was a competitive affair featuring some well-bred types with the John Thompson trained Foxwedge filly Into the Abyss emerging triumphant.



She travelled well up on the pace for Glyn Schofield and kicked clear down the running to win the 1000 metre scamper by a length and quarter in race record time.

"She was very impressive today, it was effortless at the end," said Schofield.

"I'll be trying to stay on her going forward."

A $240,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Vinery Stud draft for DGR Thoroughbreds, Into the Abyss (images Steve Hart) runs for a partnership including Foote Street Investments (Dr Michael Alexeef), Think Big Stud (Dato Tan Chin Nam and Duncan Ramage) and Hollymount Stud (Michael Sandblom).

"They are a great group of owners to train for and I'm very grateful they decided to send her to me after James (Cummings) took the job at Godolphin," said John Thompson.

"She's a nice filly. Her two trials were both good and she'll just keep improving.

"She's a Magic Millions filly, so this win might be enough money to get her into the race, but if it's not, it's not, she can shoot the breeze, there will be other races."

Into the Abyss is a full sister to stakes-placed Aghna and is the fourth winner from Group III placed Encosta de Lago mare Moonboat, who comes from the famed Canny Lad and Canny Lass family that has also delivered Golden Slipper winner Sepoy and Champion 3YO Filly Guelph.

Moonboat was originally owned by the late Dr Edmund and Mrs Belinda Bateman, but was on-sold by Newgate Farm in 2015 for $50,000 to Sona Bloodstock.

Into the Abyss is the first and only foal produced so far by Moonboat for her new owners .

The foundation sire at Newgate Farm, Foxwedge sired the last winner, Noire, at Warwick Farm on Saturday before Christmas and has picked up after the holiday where he left off with another well above average metropolitan winner.