Just Fantastic! Randall Simons is relaxed as he guides Fantastic Mr Fox to a narrow Tony Ruffel Stakes win
Very well bought and with plenty of promise and natural ability. Paul Matchett has a lovely 3yo prospect in the Right Approach gelding Fantastic Mr Fox, who ran a cracker to win Saturday’s R200 000 Gr3 Tony Ruffel Stakes run over 1450m at Turffontein.
After some of the telephone numbers of the recent Cape Sale, prospective National Yearling Sales buyers will gain some hope from the fact that one can still buy a very smart horse for reasonable money.
Fantastic Mr Fox certainly showed no respect for the ‘get what you pay for’ theorists, when he produced an early 500% odd return on investment.
The Wilgerbosdrift Stud product is a versatile gutsy fellow who is able to race handy, or turn on the power late in the race.
His win here under Randall Simons from an 11 draw over the inner track was full of merit.
Despite his good recent form, which included a win in the Listed Secretariat Stakes, Matchett’s gelding was allowed to jump at a generous 17-2, and but a few seconds in that final 200m, his supporters would not have suffered too much stress.
Trainer. Paul Matchett has a good sort on his hands
Piere Strydom took The King And I around his field from a wide draw to lead at a fair clip from the pacy Zestful, with No Worries and Yukon Gold further back. At this stage Fantastic Mr Fox was languishing near the rear, after being dropped in from his draw.
Into the home run, Zestful tackled The King And I, and bounced into what looked like a winning lead as The King And I went a little flat.
Swift And Strong produced a powerful run down the rail as Zestful continued to lead, with little else running on.
With Zestful looking all over a winner, Fantastic Mr Fox burst through the middle and started eating up the turf to nab Zestful a stride before the line.
Fantastic Mr Fox won narrowly but convincingly in a time of 88,77 secs, with Swift And Strong catching the eye in third.
Lucky Houdalakis’ Right To Tango ran on well at any price for fourth.
Owned by Lawrence Pillay and bred by Wilgerbosdrift Stud, Fantastic Mr Fox was a terrific National Two Year Old Sale purchase at R65 000.
By Right Approach out of the three-time winning Fort Wood mare Fort Fox, who was trained in her racing career by Joey Ramsden, he looks extremely promising with a third win from his 9 starts, with 4 places.
He added this trophy to his Secretariat Stakes silverware, and now boasts earnings of R316 525.
That’s a great return. And while his dam only won up to 1400m, he should enjoy the Guineas trip.
