Hugh Bowman will ride Foxplay in the Thousand Guineas on Saturday
Leading Sydney jockey Hugh Bowman admits he is surprised at the improvement Foxplay has made as she attempts to extend her winning streak at Caulfield.
Foxplay will attempt to add a Group One victory to her record when she contests the Thousand Guineas on Saturday.
The Chris Waller-trained three-year-old has won both runs this campaign at Group Two level with Bowman aboard.
Bowman also rode her to the first of her three wins in June.
But it’s her past two starts, the Furious Stakes and especially the Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick, that has impressed Bowman.
“She’s snuck in under the radar a little bit,” Bowman said.
“I didn’t have a lot to do with her before I won on her two starts ago but I was very impressed with her win in the Tea Rose.
“Lining up the Melbourne fillies against the Sydney fillies, my gut feeling is the Sydney fillies are probably better.
“The only question mark over her is she’s a lightly raced young horse coming down to Melbourne for the first time.
“She’s going to need to adapt to the Caulfield track, but she’s drawn well and from barrier five she should get a good run.”
Foxplay has been easy in betting since Tuesday’s barrier draw, drifting from $2.60 to $2.00 while there has been good support for fellow Sydney filly Global Glamour who has firmed from $6 to $4.
Bowman will ride champion mare Winx in the Caulfield Stakes, the race before the Thousand Guineas.
“I’m not as confident about Foxplay as Winx but I still have an air of confidence about her,” Bowman said.
Waller is hoping some of Winx’s attributes rub off on Foxplay.
Winx and Foxplay headed to Caulfield on Wednesday for a familiarisation gallop and Waller said the pair were great mates.
“They travelled down (from Sydney) together and they are next to each at the stables so hopefully they’re celebrating together on Saturday night,” Waller said.
Waller says Foxplay’s draw of five is ideal as it means Bowman will be able to ride the filly where she’s comfortable.
“Gate five allows her to come out and let her natural rhythm tell her whether they’re going too fast or too slow,” Waller said.
“She’s a very tough filly, not an overly big girl, but full of heart.”
