Volpe Veloce victorious in Castletown Stakes

Exciting filly Volpe Veloce (Foxwedge) scored a spectacular win in Saturday’s $50,000 Listed John Turkington Forestry Castletown Stakes (1200m) at Wanganui, extending her unbeaten career record to two out of two.

Ridden by Johnathan Parkes, the Matamata filly sat midfield before streaking clear in the home straight, beating her talented opposition by a commanding two and three-quarter lengths.

The previously unbeaten Honey Rider (NZ) (Pins) was second, with first-starter Technician (NZ) (Coats Choice) third.

“That was a big thrill, I’m shaking,” trainer Graham Richardson said. “I don’t want to get too carried away, I’d prefer just to let her do the talking, but I hope and I think she has a pretty big future I’m pretty excited about her.

“This is a great result. A lot of loyal owners have stuck by me with this filly, so I’m absolutely chuffed for them and also for the horse herself. She’s a good filly. I think she’ll be even better on top of the ground.”

Volpe Veloce has made a big impression in her juvenile season. She began with two trials for a win and a second placing behind stakes performer Sassy ‘N’ Smart (Smart Missile). When she made her debut at Matamata in late March, she powered to victory by two and a quarter lengths. The second and third placegetters in that race, Family Secret (NZ) (Sakhee’s Soldier) and Eleonora (NZ) (Makfi), both went on to place in the Listed Champagne Stakes.

Richardson paid $240,000 to buy Volpe Veloce from the draft of Lyndhurst Farm at the 2015 Premier Sale at Karaka. She has earned $35,625 in her two starts to date and will be aimed at the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series in 2016-17.