News

Fenway On Trial For Cox Plate

29th Sep 2015

Breeding And Racing - Tuesday, 29th September 2015

Group 1 winner Fenway will test her Cox Plate credentials in Friday night's Group 2 Stocks Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley, reports Racing.com.

The 4YO High Chaparral mare was given a hit-out at the Valley track yesterday morning when scoring a comfortable win over stable-mate Always Lucky over 1000m.

Co-trainer Shannon Hope said last season's Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes winner (200m) needed to win Friday's $200,000 mares feature to justify pressing on towards the Cox Plate (2040m) on 24 October.

"I would have thought she'd have to win but in saying that she is already a Group 1 winner but another Group 2 win would certainly help," Hope said.

"I brought her to Moonee Valley just to make sure she'd handle the track, I know it's different to race pressure but she seemed to wheel around the corner no problem."

He added: "She's a very casual mare that takes everything in her stride and the trip down here should just bring her on a little bit."

Hope said he was pleased with Fenway's first-up 9th (beaten 4.2-lengths) in the Group 2 Let's Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington, and said she had returned a better horse this campaign.

"Mentally and physically she's a lot stronger this preparation," he said.

The beautifully bred Fenway is by High Chaparral out the Zabeel mare Deedra, a half sister to Group 1 winners Tuesday Joy and Sunday Joy (dam of More Joyous) and a granddaughter of celebrated blue hen Denise's Joy.