Patrick and Michelle Payne’s The Cunning Fox (NZ) (Reliable Man) made it six wins from six jumps starts with a gutsy Australian Hurdle victory at Sandown on Sunday.
Despite coming under riding from Tom Ryan a fair way from home, the striking grey, who cost Prime Thoroughbreds just $30,000 as a yearling, surged in the straight and lifted late to score by just under two lengths as a $3.10 chance.
Highland Blaze flew late to go into second, while Affluential (NZ) (Zed) tired late to run a brave third, but The Cunning Fox was far too good and further stamped himself as one of the stars of the hurdling caper.
Ryan, who picked up his fourth Australian Hurdle and his second consecutively, was full of praise for his mount.
“He probably should not have won today, but it was only the fact that the horse is so tough,” he said.
“We didn’t go overly quick, and then they quickened at the top of the hill, and I was totally left flat-footed. I said, ‘I’m beaten here.’
“But to be fair to him, he winged the second-last and I was hoping just to stay on their coattails.
“But once we got into the straight, I gave him one backhander is all, and the way he went… you could nearly see him putting the ears back and fighting.
“He is a tough, tough horse.”
The Cunning Fox was bred by Sven Hanson who bred and raced Reliable Man, who stands at Westbury Stud in New Zealand.