Payne hoping fresh sprinter can again outfox rivals

A first-up winner at double-figure odds last campaign, Fox Fighter will be bidding to repeat the dose when he kicks off his latest preparation at Rosehill.

The six-year-old was sent out at $41 when he bloused his rivals late to take out a benchmark 88 race over 1200m in August.

On Saturday, he is set to step out at a similar price in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1100m), again at his home track where he has posted half of his six career-wins.

David Payne is happy the gelding is going as well as he was prior to his last win, the trainer’s only reservation the slightly shorter journey.

“The 1100 might be a little bit on the sharp side, but he is well and he’s fresh,” Payne said.

“I gave him a few weeks in the paddock, and he will run well.

“He hasn’t trialled, but he has had a couple of good gallops. He’s a horse that doesn’t take much work.”

Fox Fighter hasn’t raced since finishing down the track behind Moravia at Randwick in September but retains residual fitness.

He will be partnered by Zac Lloyd, who had his eye in on Wednesday at Warwick Farm where he booted home two winners from three rides.

Payne is also hoping the Rosehill track remains firm for Fox Fighter given all of his victories have been recorded on good ground.

“I hope it’s still firm by then. They say there are going to be some showers, but who knows?” Payne said.

“He is drawn well, we’ve got an in-form rider and he likes Rosehill.”

Fox Fighter has barrier three in the field of 13, which also includes last weekend’s Starlight Stakes placegetter Tristate, the in-form Fire Star and speedy gelding Time To Boogie, who is resuming.