An England trip is still on the agenda for top three year old Foxwedge even though he failed to beat a runner home at Randwick last Saturday.

Foxwedge

An English campaign is still on the agenda for Foxwedge - photo (c) Steve Hart

Trainer John O’Shea was initially disappointed with Foxwedge’s last of six placing behind Master Of Design in the Group 1 $1m Darley T J Smith (1200m) but later reported to stewards that a large amount of mucous had been detected in the his airways, possibly due to a throat infection.

Jockey Nash Rawiller was also dumbfounded by the poor effort after Foxwedge had beaten one of the country’s top sprinters in Hay List in the Group 1 $400,000 Power Tracker William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley at his previous start.

Rawiller reported to stewards after the race that he was never happy with Foxwedge at any stage and that he found nothing when put under pressure in the straight.

O’Shea rushed the colt home after the dismal performance and had him scoped and was a little relieved in that there was a fixable problem.

“I’m glad we found a problem. It would have been a bigger worry if we hadn’t,” O’Shea said.

“He’s being treated and will have an easy time to get over it but at this stage we are pushing on with our plans for Royal Ascot.”

O’Shea will put the Fastnet Rock colt to the test in a Rosehill barrier trial on May 25 and then make a final decision whether to go with plans to travel to England.

“It will all come down to how he performs in a barrier trial at Rosehill on May 25.

“If he comes through the trial in good shape he will be on his way to the UK.”

Connections are looking to tie up a stud deal for the classy colt and a figure around $13m had been discussed leading up to the T J Smith after his Group 1 win over Hay List in the William Reid.

If Foxwedge is given the all clear to compete overseas, the Group 1 £350,000 The King’s Stand Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot on June 19 will be his initial target.

The three year old is the winner of five races from thirteen starts with almost a $1m in the bank.

 

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.