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John O'Shea-trained Foxwedge claimed his first Group win in Saturday's San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill with the performance indicative of a horse able to show further improvement over the spring.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Foxwedge resumed on Saturday in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill where the John O'Shea-trained runner was sent out as the odds-on favourite after two solid barrier trial wins this preparation.
With regular rider Nash Rawiller on board, Foxwedge sat third behind speedy fillies Karuta Queen and Defiant Dame before the pair eased off the fence in the straight and quickly accounted for the leading duo.
While this was done with relative ease Foxwedge appeared to knock up over the final 100m and did well to hold off a late challenge from the fast finishing Anise.
2011 Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Karuta Queen finished two lengths from the winner in third.
The winning performance of Foxwedge was awarded a Timform figure of 115 which rates just above the five year average for the San Domenico Stakes.
Foxwedge's San Domenico Stakes success ranks as the equal best over the past five years alongside 2008 winner Duporth who subsequently won the Golden Rose (then a Group 2) and also the 2009 Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m).
The Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) on September 10 is the main Sydney spring target of Foxwedge who will have one more start before then in the Run To The Rose (1300m) next fortnight.
In addition to running a figure of 115, the performance was awarded an additional 'P' symbol, suggesting the expensive yearling purchase is capable of improving over the coming starts.
Saturday's win was not the Fastnet Rock colts peak Timeform rating having previously finished a close third in the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) last autumn behind Smart Missile.
Runner-up in the Todman Stakes was the Blue Diamond/Golden Slipper winner Sepoy suggesting the event was particularly strong.
Foxwedge was awarded a peak Timeform rating of 118 for running third behind this pair and on Saturday further enhanced the strength of that race.
The John O'Shea-trained colt will likely need to improve on his latest performance if he is to be competitive in both the Golden Rose Prelude and the main event.
Smart Missile with a master Timeform figure of 122 is expected to resume in the Run To The Rose while over the previous five years only Duporth has won the Golden Rose with a performance assessed at less than 120.
