Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh maintained the winning roll he has been on of late when he produced the quinella in the feature race at Te Rapa on Saturday, the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) with victory going to Aussie bred Foxwedge gelding Raposa Rapida, a full brother to Group I winner Volpe Veloce.
Punters had expected Run To Perfection to be the leading light for Marsh however it was stablemate Raposa Rapida who threw everyone a curveball when he sat wide throughout before holding out the late charge of Run To Perfection to take out the event.
The seven-year-old was having his first run since finishing sixth behind Run To Perfection at the venue back in May and showed plenty of fight to record his seventh career victory.
Marsh, who had expected a good run from both horses, admitted he was a little surprised at the final result.
“I just thought Raposa might need it a bit, while Run To Perfection had two runs under his belt,” he said.
“I was very happy with them both but when we drew wide with Raposa I did think that Run To Perfection was most likely my best chance.
“As it turned out the winner just refused to flinch off a wide run, whereas the other guy didn’t quite get all the breaks in the run home when he needed them.”
Marsh is undecided about the next targets for both the winner and runner-up and will allow them both to get over the race before making any plans.
“Given Raposa Rapida had such a tough trip I think a few days on the easy list will be good for him,” he said.
“I hadn’t thought too far ahead with him so will need to have a look around at what is coming up.
“He has run some ripping races throughout his career and this could be his best campaign.”
Raced by the Go Racing Foxy Syndicate, Raposa Rapida is a son of Foxwedge and Barathea mare Bardego, which makes him a full brother to Group I Railway Stakes (1200m) winner Volpe Veloce and half-brother to stakes-winner Delago Bolt.
A $150,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Go Racing from the Muskoka Farm Nominees daft, Rapida Raposa has the overall record of seven wins from 34 starts and over $185,000 in prizemoney.
He becomes the 23rd stakes-winner for Woodside Park’s Foxwedge, who stands at a fee of $11,000.
