Only the unbeaten Patrick and Michelle Payne-trained The Cunning Fox denied Bairnsdale-owned hurdler Highland Blaze victory in the $100,000 Australian Hurdle at Sandown last Sunday.
The Cunning Fox ($3.50), with Tommy Ryan in the saddle, made it six wins from six jumps starts, surging in the straight to score by just under two lengths from Highland Blaze ($3.50), who flew home late, with Affluential ($2.20) finishing third.
It continued the outstanding form of Highland Blaze who has now raced 10 times under the care of former top jumps jockey, Shane Jackson, from his Warrnambool base.
In his time trained by Jackson, the five-year-old gelding has recorded four wins and three placings, amassing stakes of over $175,000.
The horse joined one of the state’s most in-form stables after his previous trainer, Bairnsdale-based Jackson Pallot, decided to retire from training.
Ironically when it came time to placing Highland Blaze with another trainer, Racing Victoria stewards were required to become involved as the ownership group was not in total agreeance with the new trainer arrangement suggested by the retiring Pallot.
After a vote, Pallot got his way and the horse joined Jackson, which has resulted in a lucrative preparation with more spoils in the offering in the coming weeks, including a possible start in the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle (4200 metres) to be run at Sandown on August 3.
