She’s one of the smallest horses in Chris Waller’s stable, but Foxplay has shown size doesn’t matter in a fight, coming out on top in the Group Two Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick.

The $2.80 favourite to add Saturday’s 1400m-event to her Furoious Stakes win, Foxplay was crowded by her stablemate Sezanne ($8) as she tried to work her way into the clear in the straight.

Jockey Hugh Bowman said he was concerned when Craig Williams had him tight but it ended well with Foxplay beating Skylight Glow ($10) by a neck with Quick Feet ($31) another half head third and Sezanne fourth.

“He made a run. I was left flat footed, he sort of had the margin on me,” Bowman said.

“He didn’t push me in, the ones in front of me came out and I was lucky that I had the horse with the strength to get through.”

The Flight Stakes and the Thousand Guineas are both target for several Chris Waller-trained fillies including Foxplay in the Group One 1600m-races run a week apart, something that puzzles Waller.

“If for whatever reason the Flight Stakes doesn’t suit then of course there is always the Thousand Guineas a week later,” Waller said.

“But why have it a week later. If we are going to promote Australian racing the way it should be, the way it is heading, with fantastic prize money, maybe Melbourne should fall into line and drop it back a week.

“I’m no prime minister. I’ll stick to training horses but if someone listens it might help.”

Golden Rose runner-up Omei Sword is the stable”s leading contender for the Thousand Guineas at $3.50 favourite with Foxplay now on the second line at $6.50.

Flight Stakes nominations have not yet been taken and Waller says Foxplay is a worthy contender.

“She’s not a big girl but she’s all heart,” he said.

“She was going to be a bit unlucky if she didn’t win.

“Hugh fortunately managed to angle his way into the clear gradually and it was a good win.”

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au