Former promising three-year-old Desert Fox bounced back to form with a stylish win in a 1000m race which was considered a tad short for him on Sunday.
The Not A Single Doubt five-year-old has not saluted since February 16 last year when then under the tutelage of trainer Michael Freedman and widely regarded as one of the better three-year-olds of his batch.
Though not entirely disgraced in the 3YO Series dominated by War Affair, Desert Fox subsequently did go off the boil a little to the point he was moved to trainer John O’Hara this year.
After four inconspicuous runs between 1000m and 1200m for the Singaporean where he mostly languished at the back before making some late ground, hopes dwelled in the mid-range area about a forward showing, let alone a win in the $80,000 Better Than Ever 2010 Stakes, a Kranji Stakes C race which many, including O’Hara, thought might see him warming up to the task too late.
But with Sure Win (Benny Woodworth) ensuring a fast clip throughout the race, Desert Fox ($53) saw his chance of success go up exponentially. However, there was still favourite Lively Dragon (Manoel Nunes) to beat when the latter swept past Sure Win shortly after straightening to open up to a tidy break.
At that moment, the race looked all sewn up, but Lively Dragon suddenly began to run on empty 100m out. Desert Fox, who was always within striking distance, smelled blood and with Saifudin Ismail wielding the persuader with renewed vigour, the favourite was eventually rolled with O’Hara’s new ward finishing better to claim Lively Dragon by a neck.
Exceed Express (Corey Brown) had every chance and did well to run third another 1 ½ lengths away. The winning time was 59.15 seconds.
“I thought it would be a little short for him, but the fast pace suited him,” said O’Hara who was saddling his third winner for the weekend after Satellite Prince and Gilt Complex saluted on Friday night.
“The leader was also stopping and my horse was there in the right spot. He’s had only five runs for me, but he’s slowly been coming along for us.”
Just like O’Hara, Saifudin was unsure whether Desert Fox, who scored only once over the kilometre from his four wins (remaining three all over 1200m), would arrive in time.
“He settled very well for me in midfield. They went fast in front and he ran on very well in the straight,” said the Malaysian jockey.
“I thought he would run second for a while but the leader (Lively Dragon) weakened in the last 100m and we were able to get the win.”
With that fifth win, along with seven placings, Desert Fox has brought his stakes earnings past the $310,000 mark for his owner, Mr Seet Seo Boon.
