A well-timed steer from in-form apprentice Zac Lloyd has seen Barbie's Fox claim Saturday's Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) at Rosehill.
The Ben & JD Hayes-trained mare had been a luckless fourth behind Ucalledit in the Listed Winter Stakes (1400m), but Lloyd managed to right those wrongs this time around.
Having been on the rail throughout, Barbie's Fox ($6) found gaps at the top of the straight at the right time and managed to get the better of Hosier ($15) and Steely ($11), with less than three quarters of a length separating the trifecta across the line.
2023 Listed Winter Challenge Replay – Barbie's Fox
Ben Hayes was trackside following the win and the sense of relief was obvious from the Melbourne-based trainer.
“Luckily we got it today, otherwise it would have been a bit of a hard luck Sydney trip,” JD Hayes said.
“Just very happy that the ball bounced our way today and she was good enough to pick herself up and come over the top.
“There were a few things we were saying at the 200 that can't be repeated, but luckily she found clear air and she is absolutely airborne the mare.
“Now she's had a pedigree update with a bit of black type, it's a huge result.”
The win handed Zac Lloyd his second black-type success having partnered Electric Girl to victory in the Group 2 Millie Fox Stakes in the autumn.
“I was very nervous at the 300 metres,” Lloyd said.
“I thought, ‘please just don't mess this up again'. I was able to get out and thought it might have been a touch too late.
“The horse got me out of trouble.
“I gave her one of my worst rides last start, thankfully I was able to stay on….I came here with a lot of confidence, trusted the horse, had that sit on her and felt that she has a turn of foot.”