Trish Dunell
Volpe Veloce will chase top Australian honours at the Queensland winter carnival.
The high-class four-year-old broke through at the highest level during her summer campaign when she won the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) on New Year’s Day and was a luckless seventh in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m).
Her Ellerslie success completed her full house of black type credits following Group Two, Group Three and Listed successes last season.
Volpe Veloce was given a break after her Telegraph outing and is in the early stages of her Brisbane preparation.
“She’s in pre-training and Gavin Parker, my training partner, saw her the other day and he said she looks great,” Matamata conditioner Graeme Richardson said.
“She may have one race here before she goes and we’ll be looking at the Stradbroke and the Tatts Tiara.”
The Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) will be run at Eagle Farm on June 9 with the Gr.1 Tatts Tiara (1600m) at the Gold Coast a fortnight later.
Meanwhile, stablemates Xbox and Wildflower will be chasing domestic Group One autumn titles with the former a leading Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) prospect and the latter a genuine Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) hope.
Xbox boosted his classic credentials when he won the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) at his last start.
“He’s a chance for Brisbane as well, depending what happens in the Derby,” Richardson said.
Listed Jakkalberry Classic (1950m) winner Wildflower went to another level at her latest appearance when she chased Lizzie L’Amour home in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m).
“That was a terrific effort and she’s come through it well,” Richardson said. – NZ Racing Desk.