El Corby too tough at Te Aroha

Popular Te Awamutu ownertrainer Graham Falconer describes El Corby as ‘‘a tough little critter’’.

Conditions were at their worst at Te Aroha yesterday, 15mm of rain overnight left an already heavy track in a sodden state making for tough racing.

It was spot on for El Corby in the restricted open hurdle as he achieved back-to-back wins.

Falconer made it a double for the day when Noah Jon won the restricted open steeplechase

Ridden by Emily Farr, El Corby won his maiden hurdle at Te Aroha on June 25, the step up in class and a change of jockey didn’t matter as he trounced yesterday’s field in the hands of Gary Walsh.

Thoughts of Great Northern Hurdles glory are in the back of Falconer’s mind.

‘‘He’s still pretty new at this [jumping] so we will just take it step by step,’’ Falconer said.’’he’s obviously got more ability than I gave him credit for.

‘‘He’s a tricky little guy but you’ve got to love him don’t you?’’

Walsh also rode Noah Jon and the combination had withstand a protest from runner-up Istimagic before celebrating.

Winners of the day’s maiden hurdle races both came with big wraps which they justified.

On debut in the role, Monarch Chimes hinted at a bright future as a hurdler for his accomplished Cambridge trainers David and Emma-lee Browne.

Well schooled, much of it in the hands of race day rider Shaun Phelan, he had to be good to live up to a reputation that installed him as favourite.

Connections, including former All Black Kit Fawcett, had a few concerns as he got well back in the running, but Phelan had plenty of horse under him.

In the corresponding maiden hurdle Fast Catch was ridden by Reece Cole who dedicated the win to the family of his good friend Jason Hercock who passed away recently.

Cole gave a heartfelt salute skywards as he passed the post aboard the Samantha Logantrained jumper with the trainer describing Fast Catch as a jumper ‘‘with a lot of upside’’.