Fogden has own runner on track

AS AQUIS Farm prepares for a three-pronged attack on Sydney’s Golden Slipper, the entity’s longest serving employee Kacy Fogden is preparing for a milestone of her own at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Fogden has been with Aquis since they set up their Queensland thoroughbred operation at Canungra and is the farm’s racing and pre-training manager.

She has also recently taken out a trainer’s licence and in the shape of Mullaghmore (Eagle Farm Race 2), will have her very first runner on Saturday.

“It’s exciting, but also obviously a little bit scary and nervous at the same time,” Fogden said.

“It’s been in the pipeline for a while, but this horse (who was only sold on Tuesday) has just turned it around a bit quicker.

“Steve O’Dea has got him in great form and any credit for what he does in this race should go to him.”

Fogden said Aquis will continue to support the wide number of trainers it already has, but for “any special cases” she will train for clients, although “it won’t be too many”.

Fogden said it has been re- markable to watch the transformation of Aquis into the giant it is today.

“It is just incredible the way it has progressed,” she said. “I never dreamed it would have been this big when I started six years ago.”

Aquis Farm chief executive Shane McGrath said it was an exciting new venture for Fogden, as the stud prepares for what it hopes will be a monster Golden Slipper payday. .

Aquis has three runners in Saturday’s Golden Slipper, plus the third emergency Bellevue Hill.

“To have four runners in a race of this type is a remarkable achievement and something we are very proud of,” McGrath said.

He tipped Breeders’ Plate winner Dubious to improve off his Todman run, while Blue Diamond placegetter Free Of Debt has given trainer Chris Bieg the indication he will handle the probable soft conditions.

Aquis’ third runner is Vincere Volare and McGrath said trainer Tony Gollan is confident the filly will handle the going.