Foxplay has recorded an incredible, albeit difficult race win in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse this afternoon.
Foxplay recovered to win the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes this afternoon. Photo: Steve Hart
The Foxwedge filly was backed into odds-on favouritism in 2017 Phar Lap Stakes betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au leading up to jump, but she jumped only fairly and was settled off the pace by jockey Kerrin McEvoy.
Holding a position towards the tail of the field approaching the bend, Foxplay was under heavy riding form McEvoy with 600m to run and appeared to be going nowhere, and was subsequently caught behind a line of horses when the field straightened.
Having thrashed her head around with 300m to travel, McEvoy was forced to find a new avenue for Foxplay towards the inside of the track and was thankfully greeted with an explosive turn of foot when she found clear running; savaging the line for a half-length win over Zenalicious.
McEvoy was exhausted after the Phar Lap Stakes, but was understandably thrilled that Foxplay was still able to get the job done.
“I ended up rolling along pretty solid I thought and I was just a bit worried we’d ended up too far back,” McEvoy said.
“I ended up cutting the corner just to give myself options because we were starting to go well.
“We ended up rolling up into a bit of a dead end, so I just had to ask her to steady for a few strides, then ducked in and following Timmy (Clark) through on Zenalicious and full credit to the filly, she picked up really well once I asked and we got out of trouble.
“She’s got a great attitude and it’s why she’s got such a good record. She went into overdrive and she gave 110%.”
Foxplay has been a standout performer through her entire racing career to date and in being crowned the 2017 Phar Lap Stakes winner, has extended her record to four wins and three minors, through only eleven competitive appearances.
Punters who backed Foxplay to win the Phar Lap Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au were able to take advantage of odds as high as $2.20!
2017 Phar Lap Stakes Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | FOXPLAY | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | – | 9 | 54.5kg | $1.80F |
| 2 | 13 | ZENALICIOUS | Les Bridge | Tim Clark | 0.3L | 7 | 54.5kg | $21 |
| 3 | 6 | COMIC SET | Michael Kent | Sam Clipperton | 1.6L | 6 | 56.5kg | $10 |
| 4 | 11 | PUMPKIN PIE | Danny Williams | Jay Ford | 4.7L | 8 | 54.5kg | $21 |
| 5 | 5 | REDOUBLE | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Robert Thompson | 6.2L | 10 | 56.5kg | $15 |
| 6 | 4 | ACHI BABA | John O’Shea | Tye Angland | 6.4L | 5 | 56.5kg | $11 |
| 7 | 8 | ROCK AND SWING | James Cummings | Glyn Schofield | 7.8L | 3 | 56.5kg | $21 |
| 8 | 3 | INTO ORBIT | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | Christian Reith | 12.4L | 4 | 56.5kg | $13 |
| 9 | 7 | ON THE SPOT | Clarry Conners | Blake Shinn | 13.1L | 11 | 56.5kg | $71 |
| 10 | 10 | FRENCH FERN | David Payne | Ms Kathy O’Hara | 17L | 1 | 54.5kg | $31 |
| FF | 2 | BEZEL | John O’Shea | William Buick | – | 2 | 56.5kg | $9.50 |
