Trainer Brett Crawford has been quoted in the media as saying that if the Kenilworth underfoot conditions don’t suit, he may pull his valuable filly Run Fox Run out of Saturday’s feature.
With the Kenilworth pen reading at 30 and the official going posted as ‘heavy’ per lunch-time on Friday, punters are watching and waiting.
Beach Goddess wins the 2016 Champagne Stakes under Corne Orffer
Crawford has to go back to 2016 for his last Champagne Stakes success. That was with Ian Longmore’s Kildonan speedster Beach Goddess.
The Philippi trainer looks to hold all the aces in Saturday’s renewal, courtesy of the unbeaten 3yo Run Fox Run.
The R250 000 Gr3 feature, run at weight-for-age plus penalties for Group wins, brings the feature curtain down on one of the most eventful seasons in Cape racing. Change has been the only constant and the local racing fraternity will be raising a glass to hopefully better and brighter days ahead.
SP top-rated Run Fox Run (Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
The Sporting Post top-rated Run Fox Run was a notable absentee from the Crawford SA Champions Season string.
A convincing winner of her first three starts, Run Fox Run started favourite to make it four on the trot and was never under pressure as she sauntered to a five length victory in the Listed Olympic Duel Stakes at her last start, two months back. With Ridgemont Highlands jockey Anton Marcus back in the saddle on Saturday, she looks near unstoppable.
Glen Kotzen’s Too Phat To Fly is a tough daughter of Bezrin and needed the run when just under 5 lengths behind the younger Lesedi La Rona over Saturday’s course and distance. She is 2,5kgs better off with the Candice Bass-Robinson charge.
Lesedi La Rona – smart sort – can improve (Pic – Chase Liebenberg Photography)
A stakes winning 2yo, Lesedi La Rona was beaten over 10 lengths in the Olympic Duel Stakes by Run Fox Run. She looks to be a scopy 3yo but has plenty of improving to do to turn the tables.
It’s difficult to see Run Fox Run being beaten – and she is the confident choice to make it five on the roll.
