The Cunning Fox (NZ) (Reliable Man) has stamped himself as a potential star jumper of the future winning Sunday’s BM120 Hurdle (3400m) at Sandown.
The Patrick Payne-trained emerging jumper remained undefeated over the hurdles, making it two-from-two to start his jumping career after winning a 3200m maiden hurdle last start at Pakenham.
Well-schooled in hurdle trials prior to his first jumps preparation, the eye-catching grey looked like a seasoned campaigner over the jumps in his handling of the majority of the obstacles.
The six-year-old settled at the rear in the small field but steadily moved his way through the field and was in a threatening position with two flights remaining.
Ridden by Will Gordon, the leading jumps rider allowed The Cunning Fox to challenge the leading pair of Hit The Road Jack and Treasured Crown approaching the home turn and the Reliable Man gelding strode clear in the straight to win by 12 lengths.
Point Nepean jumped his way out of contention in the back straight but made amends on the flat to grab second from Hit The Road Jack in the final few strides.
Representing the Payne stable, Neil Greaves, was full of praise for how the Reliable Man gelding handled the challenge.
“The team have done a great job here with this horse, he had sort of reached his mark on the flat, but this seems to have given him a new lease on life.
“He trialled quite a while back at Warrnambool and jumped terrific.
“This was a good race today, good tempo on and he stood up to the pressure and Will Gordon rode him terrific, he was very impressive.”
Will Gordon was impressed with how much the hurdler was enjoying the experience.
“He’s pretty good this fella, I think he just enjoys the job,” Gordon said.
“I think this job with the jumping just keeps him very interested, he seems to love it.
“He was super today, and he was pretty dominant late.”
Racing in the silks of managing owner Joe O’Neill’s Prime Thoroughbreds, The Cunning Fox had recorded four wins on the flat from 25 starts before being aimed over the jumps.
The Cunning Fox was bred by Sven Hanson and was a $34,000 yearling purchase by O’Neill on the Gold Coast. Hanson and wife Carina bred and raced Reliable Man, who stands at Westbury Stud in New Zealand.
