Racing: Johnny Fox gives Orange fifth win

Canterbury reinsman Blair Orange scored his fifth win in the group 3 Invercargill Cup when he drove Johnny Fox to victory at Ascot Park on Saturday.

The 5yr-old also gave Orange and trainer Mark Jones back-to-back wins in the race, after the pair combined to claim last year's running with Saveapatrol.

Johnny Fox was able to withstand the challenge of runner-up Belkmyster, despite racing parked outside leader Quick As A Trick for much of the contest, in an effort that impressed Orange.

‘‘He relaxed so good sitting out there, which was the key for him,'' Orange said.

‘‘He just flopped along on a loose rein and you always know he'sgot the speed when you ask him to quicken.''

Saturday's victory gave the Woodend Beach pacer a hat trick of wins, after he claimed the Nelson Cup and Cup Prelude earlier this month.

Johnny Fox's continued improvement in form was a result of overcoming ‘‘breathing issues'', Orange said.

The Rowe Cup is the long-range goal for Alley Way, who won the day's feature trot.

The Neville Skinner-trained gelding led with2000m left to run, before trailing and using the passing lane to score an easy two-length victory.

‘‘At the top of the [passing] lane he travelled like a good horse, and I was just thinking how far are we going to win by,'' driver Matthew Williamson said.

Alley Way would be aimed at next month's Waikouaiti meeting, before targeting Canterbury races, which would decide whether the pair trek north on an Auckland campaign, Skinner said.

- Jonny Turner

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