Improving mare Berry Foxie ($5) broke through for a strong maiden win at Donald on Sunday, relishing her first attempt at a mile. The four-year-old daughter of Rommel was very good at Geelong out to 1500-metres two starts back, before a basic effort on the synthetic surface last time out signalled a return to grass. The intention this time was to leave the gates positively and take up a more forward position in the run, using her good draw to settle in the front half of the field. When she jumped cleanly, jockey Jack Hill allowed his galloper to stride forward and camp second, two-lengths behind leader Bellawish ($6), who set a strong tempo throughout. Hill set out to chase in earnest rounding the home bend, drawing within a length at the furlong marker before edging to the lead with 100-metres to go. The mare was strong from that point on, drawing clear from Bellawish in the last fifty metres to record a length win on the line. Hill was pleased with his mount’s performance post-race. “I thought it was a good win”, he said. The hoop went on to explain that Berry Foxie hit a bit of a flat spot around the 600-metre mark, but picked up well when he felt for her. “I had to give her a slap to build up, and once she did that she worked into the race pretty well.
“I was always going to be able to pick the leader up”.
Both Henry and Hill noted the mare may be suited over even further next time at the races, opening up plenty of options for future runs.
Berry Foxie now has a win and a placing from five career runs, and looks ready to be competitive up in grade next time at the races.