G1 CAPE FLYING CHAMPIONSHIP FOR RUN FOX RUN

The Australian bred five-year-old Run Fox Run picked up her first G1 success when she made much of the running to win Saturday’s G1 Cape Flying Championship (1000m) at Kenilworth.

Fourth in the same race last year, Run Fox Run had won after a lengthy break up, before finishing second to Cape Flying Championship favourite Celtic Sea in the G2 Southern Cross Stakes, and the Brett Crawford was allowed to start a 93-20 shot over her best trip.

Under Anton Marcus, the Australian was quickly into stride and jumped out to make the running, while challenged by last season’s Equus Champion Tempting Fate (14-1).

Favoured Celtic Sea (18-10) ranged up outside Run Fox Run, but her run quickly petered out, as Run Fox Run continued to find under Marcus.

Despite facing a late challenge from the Snaith trained Rio Querari (11-2), Run Fox Run never really looked in danger and the mare went on to land her maiden G1 victory by three-parts of a length.

Runner up Rio Querari confirmed his status as a high-class sprinter by taking second, finishing three lengths clear of Celtic Sea, who appeared to have every chance.

Now a winner of eight of 11 starts (her latest win takes Run Fox Run’s earnings to R1 140 350), Run Fox Run won the 2021 Cape Flying Championship in a time of 57.74 seconds.

Crawford went into the race extremely confidant, “She had a great prep leading into the race, it simply was the best I had ever had her, we always knew she had it in her.”

Bred by Mill Park, Quality TB Joint Venture, SA, the Ridgemont Highlands-owned Run Fox Run was a $420,000 buy from the 2017 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

The mare is the fourth G1 winner for the Fastnet Rock horse Foxwedge, whose five wins included the G1 William Reid Stakes.

Run Fox Run is out of General Nediym mare Victory Cry – dam also of Heritage Stakes winner Guard Of Honour, and a full-sister to the stakes winning Victory Chant.

A close relation to Run Fox Run will be consigned by Mill Park at the upcoming Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, where Lot 540 is a colt by G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Shooting To Win out of the Starcraft mare Champagne Jane, herself a half-sister to Run Fox Run.

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