Roxy Gap posts a dominating victory in the Hendrie Stakes
Trainer Mark E. Casse who trains the 4-year-old filly, Roxy Gap, for Melnyk Racing Stables, Inc. has high hopes for Roxy Gap, and he believes that the filly has the potential to develop just like the 2007 Horse of the Year, Sealy Hill.
The trainer shared his views after Roxy Gap’s spectacular win in the Canadian Grade 2, $179,029 Hendrie Stakes at Woodbine’s synthetic surface on 19 May, 2012.
"Both her and Sealy Hill were average looking two-year-olds and as they got older, they got better," said Casse. "I can see this filly getting better. She'll turf too. Her turf performances are good."
Under a patient ride from rider Patrick Husbands, Roxy Gap dominated the Hendrie Stakes field in the six and a half furlong race that reeled in 6, four-year-old and up fillies and mares.
Broke on top, Dr. Diamonds Prize led right after the gates gave way, but Sweet Cassiopeia rallied for the lead, and along the way they carved quick fractions, as they covered the opening quarter mile in 23.05 seconds and did the half mile marker in 46.06
seconds.
Bred in Ontario by Eugene Melnyk, Roxy Gap stalked the leaders, as Patrick Husbands had her comfortably placed in third position.
Entering the top of the stretch, Roxy Gap was still third, but Patrick Husbands angles the filly on the outside, and the next assignment the Canadian rider gave Roxy Gap was to reel the leader in and aim for the wire.
It broke down to an easy win, as Roxy Gap went through and through in the stretch to overhaul the leaders and post a 3 ¼ length victory over the second placed finisher, Dr. Diamonds Prize, as Sweet Cassiopeia finished third.
The Indian Charlie filly completed her six and a half furlong trip in 1 minute and 16.46 seconds.
"She was relaxed," smiled Husbands. "Last time, when I was on the outside she was aggressive. This time, on the inside, she was the boss today."
Husbands was aboard Roxy Gap in the Whimsical Stakes, as the pair downed the second start of Roxy Gap’s season at Woodbine on 4 April, 2012.
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