Global Weekly Review: Stellar performances ring in New Year

The start of any year can be slow for some, but race fans in Australia and New Zealand were reminded that even history can be made on the first day of the New Year.

The G2 Perth Cup may have sufffered a loss of status with its modern-day reduction in distance to 2,400m, but Justin and Lucy Warwick ensured the race was still making headlines when they combined to take the 2018 renewal at Ascot (WA) with gritty stayer Material Man.

In doing so, they were the first father and daughter to join forces for triumph in the big race — and hence became history-makers.
 
In a thrilling finish, Material Man prevailed by a nose from Pounamu, the grey son of Authorized, who brought excellent credentials to the race.

Lucy Warwick, 20, is a champion apprentice, with more than 300 wins to her credit. She became only the second female to ride a Perth Cup winner.

In New Zealand, in track conditions considered highly unusual for Summer, Volpe Veloce came with an impressive burst of speed from the back of the field to win the G1 Railway Stakes at Ellerslie, Auckland, with a little up her sleeve.

Her career record is nothing short of brilliant: 10 wins from 13 starts, and she remains unbeaten at 1,200m after six starts.

The meeting was subsequently abandoned because of the heavy (8) state of the track after one runner lost his footing twice during the running of the Railway.

Volpe Veloce, a four-year-old mare by Foxwedge, was ridden by visiting Australian jockey Jake Bayliss, who was landing his first Group One.

The winner heads next to the G1 Telegraph Stakes at Trentham, Wellington, on January 20.

The New Zealand National Yearling Sales commence at Karaka, outside Auckland, on January 28.