By Anthony Manton
The Black Book will identify race performances around Australia particularly worth following in the future. These may be high profile runners at trials and smaller tracks, or eye-catching performances, we'll aim to give you a horse to add to your pedigree or performance black book for the future.
2- year-old Foxwedge colt Vulpes ramped up Magic Millions preparations with an exceptional barrier trial at Rosehill Gardens on Tuesday.
The unraced colt trained by Gerald Ryan was having his second barrier trial and showed good improvement from his first trial at Rosehill on November 19.
Vulpes drew the outside barrier of six runners and quickly crossed the field to lead by five-lengths on the turn, he maintained the advantage all the way down the straight.
Vulpes is trained by Gerald Ryan (left)
Ridden by Brett Prebble who has recently returned to Australia after 15 years riding in Hong Kong, Vulpes stopped the clock in 55.23 seconds, running the last 600m in 35.30 seconds. He was switched-off over the concluding stages and coasted home in the second fastest sectional of the five 2 year-old heats on the morning.
"It was a smart piece of work and the second fastest sectional of the five 2 year-old heats on the morning." - Anthony Manton
Gerald Ryan is a master with early 2 year-olds, educating them with the fast tactical barrier speed and a high cruising speed vitally important for juvenile racing.
Bred at Noralla Stud Gladfield in Queensland and purchased at the 2018 Magic Millions Yearling sales for $120,000, Vulpes came in well-under the average of the twelve Foxwedge yearlings that went through the ring at that sale.
Vulpes is by Newgate stallion, Foxwedge
Purchasing owners Glenn & Viive Williams are loyal clients of Gerald Ryan and no strangers to success on the Gold Coast. In 2011 their filly Karuta Queen (Not A Single Doubt) trained by Neville Layt at Queanbeyan won the 2 year-old Magic Millions Classic.
From the dam Absolute Lure (Lure), Vulpes is a half-brother to multiple group 1 placed Hooked (Casino Prince) and a close relation to stakes winner Fire In The Night (Danewin). Both were effective at a mile suggesting Vulpes may stretch out in trip over time.
Vulpes' half-sister, a 3 year-old filly named Oh Mona (I Am Invincible) and trained by David Vandyke at the Sunshine Coast, has shown good ability winning on debut at Ipswich over 1100 metres in early November.
The $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions Classic over 1100 metres on December 12 looks the likely kick off for Vulpes debut. He is currently rated at $51 for the Gold Coast 2 year-old Magic Millions Classic over 1200 metres on January 12.
