The Ridgemont Racing Team always looked to have a big day on the cards at Kenilworth on Saturday and their unbeaten Australian-bred sprinter Run Fox Run played her part as she showed her class after a six month break when powering to victory to win the R350 000 Gr2 Southern Cross Stakes.
Rested and kept off the treacherous winter racing surfaces since registering her maiden stakes success in the Listed Olympic Duel Stakes back in May, Run Fox Run took her next step up the ladder with workmanlike ease as she beat a high-quality field, including defending champion Princess Rebel, with ease.
Run Fox Run storms to an easy victory (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Her next port of call is likely to be the Cartier Gr2 Sceptre Stakes on the opening day of the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate Racing Festival in early January.
Ridgemont rider Anton Marcus, who earlier got the team’s top-class 4yo’s Kursk and Gr1 winner Front And Centre home, has formed a solid partnership with Run Fox Run and earned one of his easiest commissions of the day.
She won in a quick time of 57,19 secs and beat Princess Rebel by 2,25 lengths.
Ridgemont’s Amanda Carey and Belinda Kieswetter enjoy the lead in (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The pacesetter Celestial Storm showed resolve to run a cracker at unfavourable weights, in third
The fancied Clouds Unfold never showed on her return from a rest but will be sharper next time.
Anton Marcus complimented Brett Crawford on a great training, while Craig and Ross Kieswetter contemplated their smart filly’s track career against Dad Wayne’s possible wish to get her into the breeding paddock. She looks likely to be a very valuable asset which route she follows.
Team Ridgemont (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
Run Fox Run has won 5 from 5 for stakes of R480 000.
An A$420,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Craig Roscoe and Brett Crawford from the Mill Park draft, Run Fox Run was the most expensive yearling by her sire sold at that sale. She is a half-sister to stakes-winner Guard of Honour and is the third winner from the General Nediym mare Victory Cry, a full sister to stakes-winner Victory Chant and half-sister to stakes-winner Reldas from the family of GrI winner Serious Speed.
Stipes report excerpt:
- a) IN THE STARS was restless in the stalls.
- b) CASUAL DIAMOND jumped slow, losing one length.
- a) Jockey A Domeyer, the rider of CLOUDS UNFOLD, which was hanging out from the 400m, reported that he felt something amiss. The veterinary surgeon was requested to examine this filly. Trainer Mrs C Bass-Robinson was requested to report back should she find anything untoward with this filly on her return to the
- b) RUN FOX RUN, the winner, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Trainer B Crawford was advised. (BM)
- PRINCESS REBEL, the second placed horse, was selected for the taking of specimens for analysis. Assistant Trainer Mr C Hewitson was advised (LD
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Gr2 Southern Cross Stakes (SAf-Gr2)
Kenilworth, South Africa, December 14, R350k, 1000m, turf, good, 57.19
1 – RUN FOX RUN (AUS), 58.0, b f 4, Foxwedge (AUS) – Victory Cry (AUS) by General Nediym (AUS). Owner Ridgemont (Nom: Mr Wayne Kieswetter); Breeder bred in Australia; trainer BJ Crawford; jockey A Marcus
2 – Princess Rebel (SAF), 59.0, ch m 5, Rebel King (SAF) – First Wave (SAF) by Waldoboro (USA)
3 – Celestial Storm (SAF), 58.0, b f 4, What A Winter (SAF) – Levitate (SAF) by Spaceship (ARG)
Margins: 2.25, 0.20, 2.75
