Tommy Ryan added another highlight to his jumping career after guiding The Cunning Fox to a gritty win in the Australian Hurdle at Sandown on Sunday.
Despite carrying 71kg, The Cunning Fox ($3.50) remained unbeaten over jumps, edging out Highland Blaze ($3.50) by 1-¾ lengths, while favourite Affluential ($2.60) ran third, three-quarters of a length further back.
The winning time of 4:35.41 was significantly slower than the Australian Steeplechase earlier in the day, where Stern Idol posted a faster figure over the same trip.
Ryan admitted he had doubts mid-race about his mount’s chances.
“We didn’t go overly quick and then they quickened at the top of the hill, and I was left totally flat-footed,” Ryan said.
“He winged the second-last and I was hoping to just stay on their coattails, but once we got in the straight, I gave him one backhander and away he went.
“He put his ears back and was fighting. He’s a tough, tough horse.”
Concerns were raised before the event about The Cunning Fox staying the full 3900m, but Ryan was confident in his ability.
“I always thought he would stay the 3900 metres and would get further, and he does,” Ryan said.
“He has that will-to-win. If we could buy that, we would all be multi-millionaires.
“Unfortunately, we all don’t have it, but he has it in bucketloads.”
Joe O’Neill, who manages the syndicate that races The Cunning Fox, was full of praise for the rising star after his earlier Galleywood success at Warrnambool and his defeat of Stern Idol at Pakenham.
“He’s a fantastic horse and I’m in awe of how tough he is,” O’Neill said.
“I was a little bit concerned about the trip, but when you look back at his pedigree, he’s got a magnificent European staying pedigree, and he’s closely related to Singspiel who was a very good stallion.
“He’s a cracker and the owners have had a great ride with him.”
The Cunning Fox’s victory adds to his growing reputation as one of the country’s top hurdlers after claiming the Galleywood Hurdle (3200m) earlier this month.
