Trainer Alex Rae is pragmatic about his exceptional run of form, understanding it cannot last forever. However, he’s hopeful that the mare who initiated this success can assist in prolonging it a while longer.
I’m Foxing is preparing to contest her fourth consecutive win this Saturday in the $150,000 MRC Membership Made Of Moments 3YO Handicap over 1000 metres at Caulfield.
The filly, a daughter of I Am Immortal, recorded her maiden victory at Yarra Valley on March 24, which initiated Rae’s impressive sequence of 13 winners from 45 starters. The young Cranbourne trainer is appreciative of her timely emergence, alongside other talented horses like I’mateez and Loft Vega.
“It was a little unpleasant six months ago when we had a stack of ordinary horses and we were just trying to work our way through things and get to the city with some better quality horses,” Rae explained.
“To be fair, these horses have all bobbed up at a similar time, so it’s no surprise and there’s plenty of nice ones still to come through.
“We’ve just got to keep working hard and hopefully it keeps coming, because you know racing is a tough game.”
I’m Foxing faces her most significant challenge this weekend, but Rae is not apprehensive, given the exhilarating nature of her recent performances.
She was positioned just off the leader in her two-length win at Yarra Valley, followed by commanding front-running victories at Pakenham and Caulfield Heath in her last two starts. Rae mentioned that while early in the campaign they endeavoured to restrain her speed, he has since learned to embrace it.
“We’re just letting her run,” he declared.
“I was really trying to get her to switch off but it was working against and she was just becoming even more ferocious.
“At Caulfield when she won, we wanted her to be a little relaxed in the run but she led up quick horses that day and looked explosive.
“We’ll adopt the same tactics on Saturday and if they’re good enough to catch her, good on them.”
For Saturday’s race, I’m Foxing has drawn barrier six and will be ridden by Luke Cartwright, whose 1.5kg claim will bring her weight down to 54.5kg.
This Saturday’s race is a heat for the Creswick Series, which concludes with a 1200m final at Flemington the following Saturday. However, Rae indicated that another Listed race is being considered if she performs well this weekend.
“She’d be very dubious at the six furlongs the way she’s racing at the moment, so if she was to run well we’d be thinking about the Lightning Stakes in Adelaide at the end of July.”
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