The Cunning Fox showcased grit and class with a determined win in the Galleywood Hurdle, maintaining his perfect record over jumps and securing a major prize on day two of the Warrnambool Carnival.

Trainers Patrick and Michelle Payne now boast victories in all of Warrnambool’s signature jumping races after Wednesday’s success, having previously won the Brierly and four editions of the Grand Annual.

Tom Ryan guided The Cunning Fox ($3) to a tough win over $2.35 betting sites favourite Affluential, with outsider Right Now ($20) a solid third.

The son of The Foxwedge had shown staying ability on the flat, placing second in the VRC St Leger, but his jumping career has taken off, with wins now at four different venues.

Ryan, who has partnered The Cunning Fox in his two latest outings, praised both the horse’s agility and courage.

“That was a dog fight,” he told racing.com. “There were no hiding places there and he answered every call.”

“He’s such a cat, jumping wise. He’s so slick and clever. He approached the last wrong, but he was so quick and clever at it and got away from it.”

“There’s that terrier in him, the dog in him, and he fought all the way to the line.”

The victory was especially satisfying for Ryan, who earlier this month partnered the gelding to a strong win at Pakenham and felt he was on something special.

“He showed today why I got that feeling from him at Pakenham,” Ryan said. “He’s a serious jumper.”

Ryan capped off a memorable afternoon by also winning the Dunroe Steeplechase aboard Jekyll’n’Hyde.