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FWC: NED v JPN from 7am, SN ExtraWell-related gelding scores first win
Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk • June 14th, 2026 4:19 pm
Hi Yo Fox Rox winning at Whanganui on Saturday | Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images)
Well-related gelding Hi Yo Fox Rox broke through for his maiden win at the second time of asking when taking out the Manawatu-Whanganui Civil Contractors NZ Maiden (1600m) at Whanganui on Saturday.
A full-brother to Group One performer Hi Yo Sass Bomb, Hi Yo Fox Rox finished 10th on debut over 1400m at Waverley last month but trainer Kim Reid, who races him with her parents Josephine and Graeme, expected the four-year-old to take plenty of improvement from that first-up effort.
Settling towards the rear of the pack on Saturday, Hi Yo Fox Rox had his work cut out for him when turning for home, but apprentice jockey Hayley Hassman presented him to the extreme outside where he showed a good turn of foot to run over the top of his rivals to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Released.
“On paper, his last run didn’t look that good, but we were both really happy with how he didn’t give up, although he had no favours,” Hassman said.
“Today he was still so green, but he put it together nicely in the straight.”
Reid was rapt with the win and expects Hi Yo Fox Rox to continue to improve over further ground.
“The form looked a bit average, but he is a youngster and is up-and-coming and I think he is a stayer in the making,” she said. “He has got a lot of improvement to make.
“I thought it might be too good for him today and he has done really well.”
While a full-brother to Hi Yo Sass Bomb, Reid said they are nothing alike.
“He is very different to his sister, but he is a trier, has a great attitude and wants to be there,” she said. “He looks totally different and goes totally different. He is not a big, fat horse like his sister, he is a bit of a lean bean.”
Hi Yo Sass Bomb has returned to work in preparation for a spring preparation, and Reid is excited for what awaits the rising eight-year-old next season.
“She is back in work and she looks fantastic,” Reid said. “She is in for a good season hopefully.”
Hi Yo Fox Rox will head to the paddock for a week where he will be joined by fellow New Plymouth galloper Capaci, who returned to winning form at Whanganui when taking out the Neilo 1600.
The Tivaci filly showed plenty of promise early this season, winning on debut at her home track in December before placing in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m).
However, her season hit a snag following her black-type result, with Capaci getting an infection in her leg, and trainer Robbie Patterson said they have been playing catch-up ever since.
“She won massive first-up, she then ran third in the Eulogy and then got a bug in her leg and she was out for quite a while,” Patterson said. “We have been battling with her a wee bit but luckily her owners are very patient people.”
Patterson has high hopes for Capaci and said he will map out a plan for her following a short break.
“She has definitely got a future,” he said. “She is going to go out with Hi Yo Fox today for a week and we will pick something through the winter.”
