Leedox (NZ) Impresses in Futurity

Exciting Karaka graduate Leedox (NZ) (Time Test) became a black type performer in just his second career start on Saturday, playing a starring role in the $70,000 Listed Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe Park. 

Picked out by Bruce Perry from Mapperley Stud’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2021, Leedox was a $220,000 purchase. His two starts to date have produced a win, a placing and $41,330 in stakes, with much more in store for him as a three-year-old next season.

A solid-finishing third on debut at Matamata on 13 May, Leedox took a major leap forward on Saturday in the hands of jockey Ryan Elliot. After sitting in third spot on the rail for most of the 1400-metre journey, he quickened stylishly in the straight to sprint through a gap that opened one off the rail.

Leedox swept to the lead with 250 metres to run and kept going strongly all the way to the finish, holding out the late challenge of fellow Karaka graduate Contagious (NZ) (Proisir) and winning by a long neck.

“That was a super win,” said Andrew Forsman, who trains Leedox for owner Lib Petagna’s JML Bloodstock. “He was very professional in the way he took the gap in the straight and put in over the closing stages.

“He did get to the front a long way out, and I was worried the favourite (Contagious) might have the last run on him, but to his credit, he refused to give in and got the win.

“He will more than likely go for a spell now – there isn’t a lot around for him, and he still has plenty of developing to do. If he can improve over that break, then we may have a smart three-year-old on our hands.”

Runner-up Contagious was a $41,000 purchase from the 2021 South Island Sale on Gavelhouse Plus. She has had five starts for three second placings and two fourths, earning $19,520 to date. Third-placed Timeless (NZ) (Time Test) was bought from the same sale for only $1000. She has earned $29,140.

Leedox became the first southern hemisphere stakes winner for first-season shuttle stallion Time Test, who stands at Little Avondale Stud and has several weanlings catalogued for next month’s National Weanling Sale at Karaka.