Fannin claims jumps jockeys title after treble at Timaru
Jumps racing seems easy for Shaun Fannin this season but with the struggles of 12 months ago fresh in his memory he is not getting carried away.
Combining with Kevin Myers for a perfect three wins from as many starts at Phar Lap Raceway on Friday, Fannin has moved to 21 victories for the season.
Minutes after The Big Opal’s win in the steeplechase, the TAB announced it was paying out on Fannin to win the jumps jockeys premiership.
‘‘It’s pretty unbelievable really, I’m having to pinch myself at the moment,’’ Fannin said.
With just seven races left in the season and a couple of handy rides at Te Aroha on Sunday, Fannin leads Michael Mitchell by six – good news to anyone who backed Fannin at his opening quote of $51.
Fannin’s run of success is a far cry from his injury ravaged campaign last season when he won nine races over jumps. A fall on the flat put him on the sidelines for more than six weeks following a heavy concussion and not long after coming back, Fannin broke his collarbone in the Grand National Hurdle when he fell from Gagarin. To top off the frustrating season, the Myers-trained Gagarin went on to win the Great Northern Hurdle. ‘‘It was gutting really, you’re stuck at home and there is nothing you can do. I was pretty hungry this season, I really felt like I had a point to prove after all that,’’ Fannin said. But the 20-year-old puts his current form down to the dream team that surrounds him. Fannin currently lives with Myers who records every race he rides and the pair discuss what could be done better.
Knowing how fortunate he is to be learning from a jumping master like Myers, Fannin is soaking the knowledge. The emerging talent also has champion jumps jockey Jo Rathbone in his corner.
‘‘She is only about 20 minutes up the road so I go up there to ride work most mornings and she is always there to help me out with advise. If I haven’t ridden a horse before or I’m riding at a new track she will talk me through it. I’m very lucky to be in the situation and have them around me,’’ Fannin said.
He also credits fellow jumps jockey Matt Gillies who he has been watching and learning from.
‘‘I definitely don’t think I could have done what I have without him this season.’’
Fannin and Myers picked up the Jo Mcgartland Memorial hurdle with favourite Wiggle in the opening race, but the hurdle debut of Pheasant, three quarters of a length behind in second, was also impressive.
Mailly made it back-to-back wins for the Fannin-myers combination in the Maurice Smith Hurdles to win by half a length over the promising Delacroix.
Fannin was expecting a quiet word from Myers on his ride of Mailly. ‘‘I went too early but he was that tough he just kept on giving.’’
The Big Opal’s win, the most impressive of the trio, was a typical front-running effort and he was too good winning by nine lengths easing down. The Big Opal is now unbeaten in three starts over steeples.