Foxbridge Plate Day Delivers at Te Rapa

As host and naming sponsor of the meeting, Waikato Stud was proud to see its signature raceday, headlined by the Group 2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate, run in fine style at Te Rapa on Saturday. The $150,000 weight-for-age sprint, a traditional early-season pointer over 1200m, went to the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained mare Alabama Lass (Michael McNab), who justified favouritism with a 1.1-length victory. Stephen Marsh’s Media World and Mark Brosnan’s Sterling Express filled the placings in a spirited finish on a Soft6 track.

Here’s how the rest of the eight-race card played out:

Race 1 – Banquo 3YO Maiden (1200m): Texas Cowboy caused a boilover at $45.20, giving trainer Danica Guy and jockey Erin Leighton the win. The gelding was bred and is raced by G S Guy & Upstage Bloodstock Ltd.

Race 2 – Noverre Mile Maiden (1600m): Autumn Heights (Masa Hashizume) broke through for trainer Mark Brosnan, holding off Wedding Belle. The gelding was bred by P Culpan, Mrs J M & W J Ewen and Mrs M Reid, raced by Y M Brosnan, D B Harris, B J Leach, K E McCauley, J A McCosh, R J McLeod, W J Potter, Mrs F R & Dr M C Vautier, D L Walker & Est late W J Ewen

Race 3 – Thank You Savabeel Open Handicap (2100m): Diamond Jak gave Brosnan a double, with Samantha Collett aboard. Bred and owned by G & Mrs L M Hodel, the gelding beat home Rosetown Princess.

Race 4 – Ocean Park Rating 65 (2400m): With Grace ($9.10, George Rooke) delivered a stayers’ win for trainer Kylie Hoskin. Fittingly by Ocean Park, she was bred by the Alchemy Family Trust & Windsor Park Stud Ltd and races for the Go Racing Double Parked Syndicate.

Race 5 – Return to Conquer Rating 75 Mile (1600m): Zenith (Matt Cartwright) scored narrowly for trainer John Bell. The filly was bred and is owned by Karapiro Equine Ltd.

Race 6 – Ardrossan Rating 65 (1200m): Oberon (Matt Cartwright) won for Stephen Marsh ahead of the feature, with the gelding bred and raced by Mrs J L Egan.

Race 8 – Chittick Family / Butch Castles Legacy Trust Rating 65 (1500m): Halo’s Fire ($2.80, apprentice Jack Taplin) closed out the day for trainer Mark Forbes. The gelding was bred by J Russell and races for J & A Russell.

Waikato Stud extends its congratulations to all the winning connections and to the Kelso team on a well-earned Foxbridge Plate – and thanks everyone who came out to enjoy a great day’s racing at Te Rapa!