Veteran front-runner Oxbridge carried the grandstand to win again at Albany on Thursday and trainer Stephen Sheehy claimed “you wouldn’t know he went around" on Friday.

The rising 10 year-old was bred and sold by Yarradale Stud for $45,000 at the 2018 Perth Magic Millions and the 15th victory in 65 starts sent his prizemoney through $338,000.  Initially handicapped to shoulder 68kg, he was given a reprieve with the 4kg claim of apprentice Giaan O'Donnell and that made a whole lot of difference in the straight.

Oxbridge looked vulnerable when the favourite Flick The Switch (Sessions) loomed large with a 7kg pull in the weights but he refused to surrender and held on to score by a head in the Wellington & Reeves Hcp (1100m).

“He’s as honest as the trainer,” Sheehy laughed when recounting his arrival at the stables this morning.  “We’re the best of mates and he was waiting with his head outside the stall when I opened the gates at 4am.  He’s a ripper and licked the feed bin, no problems.”

Following Oxbridge’s most recent victory at Albany last month, Sheehy had pencilled in Thursday’s sprint as a key cog in a summer campaign aimed at the $400,000 Bluff Knoll (1099m).  Unfortunately, the Albany Racing Club subsequently announced the rich slot-race will not be run this year.

“That decision was disappointing and going to Perth isn’t an option because he’s stresses when travelling and loses about three lengths.

"He won the (LR) Summer Scorcher at Ascot twelve months ago but it was early in that prep and he was nice and fresh.  I will nominate him for another sprint here on February 21 as long as he draws a gate with another 4kg claimer.  He’s just like a pet for his owners Jamie and Kelly Belfield.  They love him and it’s probably his last season racing so looking after him is paramount.”

Oxbridge is by Yarradale Stud’s former Storm Cat sire City Place (USA) and his dam Colleges (Elusive Quality) has also foaled Pale Rider (Rommel) who was runner-up in the 2022 G2 WA Derby (2400m) for trainer Ted Martinovich.  He transferred to Hong Kong and has earned the equivalent of AUD1.43 million to date racing as Tourbillon Prince for clients of trainer Micheal Chang.

Colleges foaled a Playing God colt in October and Yarradale has 7 lots by the Champion WA Sire entered for the Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale in three weeks.  Its first Playing God takes pride of place on Thursday morning, February 19 when the colt from Habenera (War Chant) parades as Lot 1.

Habenera has already thrown the Gingerbread Man city winners Berbere and Come On Emma and a third isn’t far away after her grey 3yo Bradbury's Moment (Bradbury's Luck) was nailed in the final stride by last-to-first winner Jackpot Bingo (Bellevue Hill) at Pinjarra last Sunday.

Oxbridge and Stephen Sheehy / Photo: Albany Advertiser