Golden Rose The Attraction For Foxwedge Return

Foxwedge

Foxwedge will target the Golden Rose during the Sydney Spring Carnival

Foxwedge is one horse who has showed plenty of promise throughout his two-year-old season.

Trainer John O’Shea will begin to put the final touches on his Spring preparation this Tuesday when he has a barrier trial at Randwick, with the colt set to target the 2011 Golden Rose and it’s $1 million prize.

It’s just a short 740m trip as the trainer eases Foxwedge back into the game following his seventh placed Golden Slipper finish.

“He looks really good and I’m very happy with him,” O’Shea said.

“He’s big and strong. His main target will be third-up into the Golden Rose.”

His first race assignment will be on August 13th when he runs across 1100m in the San Domenico Stakes.

If he’s to attack the Golden Rose third up it’s likely he’ll also contest the preliminary Run To The Rose as well.

Depending on his performance at Group 1 level he could stay at that mark and be sent down to Melbourne for the Coolmore Stud Stakes across 1200m.

It would be an incredible journey for the horse which has won two of his four starts to date.

He has placed at Group 2 level already though after running third to Smart Missile and Sepoy in the Todman Stakes.

While his Golden Rose aspirations are clear, the same can’t be said for stable mate Quackquack who will also trial on Tuesday.

The erratic filly was given a chance at Golden Slipper qualification when debuting in the Magic Night Stakes but after rearing in the stalls she was scratched from the race.

As a result she’s still yet to debut but signs are good after she passed a barrier trial in front of stewards on the first of July.

Tomorrow’s barrier trials will actually make for interesting viewing with a host of promising horses on display.

From the Gai Waterhouse stable will be Compass, the late juvenile is out of Valkyrie Diva, Maykbe Diva’s half sister.

By Redoute’s Choice, Compass is a gelding which will be seen in action for the very first time.

As a yearling going through the Easter sales, Compass went for a hefty $600,000.

Tony Santic has retained some shares in the horse as he looks to find some of the magic he earned as Makybe Diva’s owner.

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