Riding high at the top of the Australian General Sires List by earnings and fresh from producing sale-toppers at Magic Millions (Gold Coast) and Karaka (New Zealand), Fastnet Rock is the sire of the moment and in terms of his current sons with sire potential, right at the top of the tree is Foxwedge.
Prepared by John O'Shea, Foxwedge (pictured www.stevehart.com.au) ) was the highest priced son of Fastnet Rock
sold in Australia in 2010 when he fetched $925,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter
Yearling Sale and the Luskin Park bred colt has lived up to the price tag.From nine starts to date, Foxwedge has won four races and placed three times earning $565,700 for his owners Dr and Mrs Edmund Bateman.
Last seen when running champion colt Sepoy to a head in the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes in the spring, Foxwedge looked a ball of muscle when stepping out at Flemington on Friday morning for a jump-out up the straight.
"He's come back a stronger horse, much bigger and better, so we're looking forward to getting back to the races," said bloodstock agent James Harron, who advises Dr and Mrs Bateman.
"John (O'Shea) says he's never had him looking so good and his jump-out this morning was outstanding, so we're all systems go for the Lightning Stakes (Group I at Flemington on February18)."
Already a Group II winner in the spring, Foxwedge travelled just behind the
leaders at Flemington this morning and then cruised into the lead over the last
furlong to score a soft win.He is likely to have one more run in Melbourne where he will tackle the Group I VRC Newmarket Handicap over 1200 metres, a race won by another Fastnet Rock colt in Wanted in 2010.
The Batemans also have their top class filly Satin Shoes (pictured) gearing up for another campaign, the Clarry Conners trained daughter of Flying Spur trialling strongly at Warwick Farm on Friday morning where she beat Group I ATC Flight Stakes winner Streama by a length in her 800 metre heat.
No decision has been made on when or where Satin Shoes will resume, but given she's three for three first up, punters would be well advised to keep their eyes out for her when she does step out.
Click here for trial results from Warwick Farm this morning featuring wins for seasoned stakes horses Red Tracer, Neeson and Ladys Angel.
