The Fox
Wild Range Photography
The Fox will have conditions more in his favour at the Phar Lap Raceway on Friday when he winds up his South Island campaign.
The 4280 metre trip of the Equine Veterinary Services & D'Cash Steeplechase will be much more to the liking of the rising 12-year-old.
The Fox was in contention when he lost his rider in the Great Western Steeplechase at Riverton two runs back before he was then run off his feet when fourth at Wingatui.
"He's super fit, but it was more like a glorified hurdle race," trainer and part-owner Dean Cunningham said.
"Michael Mitchell rode him and he said the horse was too dour for 3200 metres."
The Fox, who has been stabled with Invercargill-based horseman Sabin Kirkland, will return to his Hunterville base on Saturday.
"Depending how he races on Friday and how he is when he gets home, he could go on to the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase or there is a steeplechase the following day for him at Te Aroha," Cunningham said.
He is also looking forward to the overdue return of Ripdiddler, who was a multiple placegetter over the jumps before he was laid low with a tendon injury.
"He hasn't raced for 18 months, but he's done a lot of work and he'll run in the maiden steeplechase at Hastings," Cunningham said.
"He's doing really well and is 80 kilos heavier than he was two years ago."
While Ripdiddler has yet to win over fences, he has placed behind a number of well-performed jumpers including Eric The Viking, Brer, Prestigiosa and Kings Deep. – NZ Racing Desk.
The 4280 metre trip of the Equine Veterinary Services & D'Cash Steeplechase will be much more to the liking of the rising 12-year-old.
The Fox was in contention when he lost his rider in the Great Western Steeplechase at Riverton two runs back before he was then run off his feet when fourth at Wingatui.
"He's super fit, but it was more like a glorified hurdle race," trainer and part-owner Dean Cunningham said.
"Michael Mitchell rode him and he said the horse was too dour for 3200 metres."
The Fox, who has been stabled with Invercargill-based horseman Sabin Kirkland, will return to his Hunterville base on Saturday.
"Depending how he races on Friday and how he is when he gets home, he could go on to the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase or there is a steeplechase the following day for him at Te Aroha," Cunningham said.
He is also looking forward to the overdue return of Ripdiddler, who was a multiple placegetter over the jumps before he was laid low with a tendon injury.
"He hasn't raced for 18 months, but he's done a lot of work and he'll run in the maiden steeplechase at Hastings," Cunningham said.
"He's doing really well and is 80 kilos heavier than he was two years ago."
While Ripdiddler has yet to win over fences, he has placed behind a number of well-performed jumpers including Eric The Viking, Brer, Prestigiosa and Kings Deep. – NZ Racing Desk.