After a brace of competitive performances in stakes races, consistent sprinter Fox Fighter is set to drop back in grade in search of a confidence-building win.
The gelding has managed a top-four finish at his past nine starts stretching back to September, highlighted by two Saturday grade victories and a trio of minor placings in black-type races.
But while trainer David Payne is confident the four-year-old will eventually break his black-type duck, for now he is content for the horse to chase his sixth career win in the At Sea Handicap (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday.
“He’ll run next week, there is an 1100 metre race for him,” Payne said.
“He’s jumping out of his skin and he’s very well.
“He’s only a little horse but we’re hoping to win something decent at some point.”
Fox Fighter has been a model of consistency for most of his career, figuring in the placings in 17 of his 28 starts.
After kicking off his latest campaign with a closing fourth to Malkovich in the Hawkesbury Gold Rush (1100m), he was again doing his best work late when third to Stradbroke Handicap favourite Think About It in the Takeover Target Stakes (1100m) at Gosford.
Payne felt the tight-turning circuit didn’t suit the backmarker last start and said Fox Fighter would be more effective on the roomier expanses of Randwick.
“The other day, the track beat him,” Payne said.
“It’s a small track and it’s hard to make up ground.”
Payne had a good day at Rosehill on Saturday taking four horses to the races and coming home with a win and two close placings.
Sweet Mercy landed the Midway Handicap, Bazooka flashed home for third to Cotehele in the Precise Air Handicap (1500m) while Navajo Peak was narrowly edged out by Bois D’Argent in the Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup.
