Icebath is the undisputed queen of Brad Widdup’s stable but Vulpine has at least earned herself the title of princess after posting the second stakes win of her career at Rosehill.
Vulpine made easy work of Saturday’s Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m), bouncing to the front and quickly beating off her nearest rivals before the fast-finishing Dream Circle closed the gap to three-quarters of a length late.
Queeslander Tambo’s Mate suffered his first defeat on a wet track, finishing third and another 1-1/2 lengths away.
It was Vulpine’s second black-type success after she claimed the Group 3 Wenona Girl Quality (1200m) in the autumn and the five-year-old is set to get the chance to further enhance that record in the Listed Razor Sharp Handicap (1200m) in two weeks.
“This is a valuable win for her. She is by Snitzel and has won a couple of stakes races now so the price tag keeps going up,” Widdup said.
“She is a Magic Millions horse so there is no reason to stop now and I will keep punching on.”
Widdup said Vulpine was a mare who took several runs to hit her straps and he had to remain patient and persistent while she found her groove.
The wet track and addition of winkers were also key factors on Saturday, as was a well-executed front-running ride by Jay Ford.
“The winkers on helped her a lot. She has got beaten a few times and I’ve thought I should have done this or should have done that.
“I’ve been waiting, waiting, we finally put them on today and it definitely helped her.”
While Vulpine does not have the profile of stablemate and The Invitation winner Icebath, the two mares do have something in common.
Both weigh in at around 470kg and both are good eaters, Icebath having done so well in the paddock that Widdup has been obliged to recall her to the stable.
“I went to see Icebath on Wednesday and I can’t leave her out any longer. She has done really well,” he said.
“She went out in good order and hopefully we can reap the rewards in the next 12 months.”
