Anthony Cummings looks to have a genuine Golden Rose contender on his hands after exciting filly She’s A Fox dominated her rivals in the $85,000 Optus Sprint (1100m) at Warwick Farm on Saturday.
She's A Fox, skips clear in the Optus Sprint, picture Sportpix.com.au
She’s A Fox acquitted herself well at her debut preparation, winning at her first run at Canterbury then running a solid two and a quarter length sixth in the Group 2 Magic Night Stakes leading into the Golden Slipper.
Now with a bit more time on her side she has returned in fine fashion and appears to be on the verge of big campaign.
Ridden by Peter Robl, She’s A Fox began well from the barriers but Robl allowed her to drift back in the field and she sat third last with cover.
Approaching the turn Robl let the filly roll forward around the field and she did so comfortably and was within three lengths of the leaders on straightening.
From the 300m to the 200m She’s A Fox gathered up steam and then from about the 150m she exploded clear to score by a comfortable margin that oozed class and pointed to much bigger things in the weeks to come.
Officially the margin was three and three quarter lengths to Sherocksmyworld (Rawiller) with only a nose to Secret Delight (C Schofield). The overall time was 1.04.25 with the last 600m run in 35.38.
“I thought she would run very well,” Cummings said. “The nature of the win was probably beyond what I expected.
“Peter rode a very good race, got back and got some cover and she has just got a great turn of foot.
“A wonderful turn of foot, the turn of foot of a group horse in the making and she now beats the ballot for some important listed and stakes races coming up, which is why she was here, so we are looking forward to that.
“She was very impressive,” Robl said. “All the way through we thought she was top class.
“Hugh Bowman has done a lot of work with her and he labelled her top class and I was just lucking he is up sunning himself at Port Douglas and I’m riding the winners for him.
“I rode her a bit conservatively, back with cover and over the last 150m she asserted her authority and she was just far too good for them.”
She's A Fox, picture sportpix.com.au
She’s A Fox is by Fastnet Rock out of Forest Native (USA), making her a sister to top sprinter Foxwedge. She’s A Fox is owned by B Rutter, J Robinson, K A Clarke, Mrs R J Mula, D C Carter, Luskin Park Stud Racing Synd (Mgr: P F Whelan) & Aston Bloodstock Synd (Mgr: W J Mula).
Picture ATC
Anthony Cummings discusses She's A Fox and Peter Robl brings the filly back to the mounting yard after her win.