Fox Dan boosts Eureka credentials

Classy three year old Fox Dan (Art Major) boosted his chances of gaining a place in next week’s Eureka with a solid all the way harness racing win in the Hip Pocket Castlemaine Pace at Melton on Saturday evening.

A short priced favourite Fox Dan was made to work early before heading off Surfingmakesense before driver Ryan Sanderson steadied the field to have a breather in the lead.

Justalittlesip who had some support commenced smartly from the second row to work through the field but he was then required to race outside the leader.

But despite the quick early burst, Fox Dan was still able to produce a last quarter of 27.3 seconds and he held out a gallant Surfingmakesense with Roadmaster battling on for third.

Trainer Emma Stewart is likely to have up to five runners in the Eureka and she is in a strong position to repeat her Eureka training success in 2023 when Encipher scored.

FOX DAN AUG 30 REPLAY

As a two year old Fox Dan won both heat and Final of the Bathurst Gold Crown and has always displayed a touch of class. Should he obtain a run in the Eureka he is sure to run out a strong 2300 metres. The colt has now won eight of his twelve starts with three placings.

Sanderson commented after the event

“Kez (Kerryn Manning) wanted to hold the early lead but we kept pushing and he ran a great race after that”.

“He’s a little professional you can press the button and he’ll settle pretty well. He felt good the whole way and I thought he ran a great race”.

“I think he’s quite versatile. He seems really strong. Typically they’ll run a strong 2300 metres. If he was picked he’ll run a great race”.

“He’s similar to Go Mike (stablemate). He’s amongst a bunch of really great three year olds”.

Earlier in the night Stewart and Sanderson combined with Cigano (Poster Boy) in the Hygain Victory Pace and then they completed a treble when top three year old Storms Collide (The Storm Inside) ran his rivals ragged in defeating stablemate Captain Perfect who gave up the early lead and My Ultimate Barney.

Storms Collide ran his last 400 metres in a blistering 26.6 seconds and is sure to make his presence felt in the forthcoming classics which may include the Victoria Derby, the Vicbred Super Series and the Breeders Crown.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink