English stayer Fox Hunt fulfilled an important qualifying clause for the Melbourne Cup with victory in the German St Leger on Sunday.
The Mark Johnston-trained four-year-old, ridden by Silvestre de Sousa, won the 2800m Group Three event by three-quarters of a length from Fair Boss.
“Fox Hunt still has several options and we shall have to talk things over with the connections,” said Deirdre Johnston, representing her husband at Dortmund.
Fox Hunt carries the green and red silks of Sheikh Mohammed’s son Sheikh Hamdan.
“That was great – just what we wanted,” Deirdre Johnston said.
“He is a very game and tough horse and never knows when he is beaten.
“I was confident that the others were never going to get him as he always finds more.”
The Johnston stable also has Jukebox Jury in the Melbourne Cup.
Gerry Ryan and Colleen and Kevin Bamford, owners of last year’s winner Americain, purchased a half share in Jukebox Jury last week with the horse to continue to race in the colours of Alan Spence.
AAP TURF