Hezafox Shows Staying Potential At Sandown

Racing Online - Horse Racing News - Australian Horse Racing News - Hezafox Shows Staying Potential At Sandown
Hezafox

Trainer Greg Eurell has staying options in mind for after the three-year-old landed a betting plunge when successful on a rain-sodden track at Sandown.

The winner of only one race previously, a maiden on the synthetic track at , Hezafox relished the heavy ground to win the Honouring Police Handicap (2100m) on Saturday.

Hezafox holds an entry in next Saturday's South (2500m) at Morphettville, however Eurell said there was only a slim chance of the gelding running in the Group One race.

The (2800m) at on May 16 has piqued Eurell's interest, while the Mahogany Challenge, a series of staying races for three-year-olds run through the winter, could also be on Hexafox's agenda.

The Andrew Ramsden provides the winner a ballot exemption into at Flemington in November.

Providing apprentice Michael Poy with the middle leg of a winning treble, Hezafox ($5) scored by a half-length from Tooradin ($5.50) with Rising Archie ($26) a further 1-3/4 lengths away third.

“The hard part about the Derby is backing the horse up so quickly,” Eurell said.

“He's not an overly big horse and we might have a little bit more to offer if we stay here going forward.

“There's that three-year-old staying series that is available to us and then there's the Andrew Ramsden as well.

“Michael is very confident the horse will run a lot further as he said he relaxes beautifully.

“So we've got a couple of options here coming up while I would think is only a very slim chance.”

Eurell said winning on Saturday's heavy track showed Hezafox was not one-dimensional having also performed admirably on dry tracks.

“He's a very horse so it's a luxury having them being able to handle both sorts of tracks,” Eurell said.

“No matter what they dish you know you're going to get a run for your money.

“He's not overly big, but he's got a very long stride on him and he tries very hard.

“It will be interesting going forward where he gets to, but I like the horse and I think there's a bit of upside for him.”

Poy, the son of former champion Michael Clarke, completed his treble when More Than Exceed won the Ladbrokes Odds Boost Handicap.

Leave A Comment