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Unbeaten filly Volpe Veloce remains on a path to Riccarton, despite an interrupted start to this season’s programme.
Her two-year-old campaign went smoothly with a debut victory on her home track followed by black type success in the Listed Castletown Stakes at Wanganui, but it’s been a stop-start preparation this time around.
Volpe Veloce was installed favourite for her three-year-old debut in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes at Hastings before she was a late scratching after kicking out in the barrier.“At this stage it’s still on for Christchurch and she’s going to Rotorua on Saturday for the three-year-old race over 1200 metres, but that will depend on the weather – the horse has to come first,” Matamata trainer Graham Richardson said.
The southern venture would be in serious doubt if Volpe Veloce, currently a $12 chance for the Gr.1 gavelhouse.com New Zealand 1000 Guineas, had to bypass Rotorua.Meanwhile, a quartet of her stablemates are already in the South Island to further their programmes toward next month’s New Zealand Cup carnival with plans for them to step out at Saturday’s Ashburton meeting.
Fame Seeker, Incantesimo, Tessastock and Victoryshallbemine are all being stabled at Riccarton with Shane Kennedy and Anna Furlong.“Fame Seeker will head toward the Valachi Downs Stakes after Ashburton,” Richardson said.
She has won consecutive races at Taupo since transferring from Lance Noble’s former Matamata base while Tessastock broke her maiden two runs back before a solid fifth over ground at Te Rapa.The lightly-tried Incantesimo will run in Saturday’s Listed Barneswood Farm Stakes at Ashburton, if she can make the field. She is also nominated for the 1000 Guineas.
Victoryshallbemine finished runner-up in both of her appearances at the Hawke’s Bay carnival with the Gr.3 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup her major target.