Racing: Sprinter emerges from the shadows

Tearaway tactics saw promising sprinter Shadow Fox spread-eagle his rivals at Trentham on Saturday. Photo / Racing Desk

Tearaway tactics saw promising sprinter Shadow Fox spread-eagle his rivals at Trentham on Saturday as he cantered to an effortless 4-length victory in the Central ITM Premier open sprint (1400m).

The six-year-old was perfectly rated by rider Robbie Hannam, who sent him straight to the front from barrier rise.

Hannam had him pinging along at a constant speed that saw the pair several lengths clear of their nearest pursuer throughout the contest. Slipped a little more rein on straightening, Shadow Fox lengthened nicely to streak away as he won untouched in 1:23.00 for the 1400m.

The victory made it back-to-back wins for the showy Keeninsky gelding after he resumed with a victory at Otaki following a lengthy break away from the track. The lightly-raced gelding was having just his 11th career start for trainer Steve Gulliver who has shown plenty of patience with his charge after a change of heart early in his career kept him in the stable.

"We nearly had him sold but we decided to keep him," he said.

"He's just needed time more than anything, although he had a lung infection last year which cost us a couple of races.

"He's a pretty good horse."

Gulliver was playing his cards close to his chest when questioned about the immediate prospects for his charge.

"He's pretty quick but we don't really have anything in mind for him," he said.

"We weren't actually going to line him up and wait for Cup day but with only six or seven starting we thought we'd have a crack."

- NZ Racing Desk