Fannin leaps at chance to ride leading jumper

A consensus between a trainer and his first-choice jockey will see talented jumper Laekeeper contest today’s Pakuranga Hunt Hurdle (3350m) at Ellerslie with a new rider.

Shaun Fannin will ride top weight Laekeeper for the first time after Morrinsville trainer Simon Rees and regular rider Emily Farr agreed she should ride last-start Riccarton winner Abacus for New Plymouth trainer John Wheeler.

Farr has ridden Laekeeper in all but two of his 14 hurdle starts, winning four times on the Keeper eightyear-old gelding.

Among those wins was last year’s Sydenham Hurdles (3100m) at Riccarton, which led to placings in the Grand National Hurdles (4200m) at Riccarton, last year’s Corson Maize Hurdle (3100m) at Te Aroha and Great Northern Hurdles (4200m), also at Te Aroha.

However, Farr had parted company with Laekeeper in both the Sydenham Hurdles and Grand National Hurdles at Riccarton earlier this month, the only two times he has failed to place in jumping contests. ‘‘He’s really well, extremely well actually,’’ Rees said.

‘‘I had the situation where Emily had another ride and we agreed she should take that ride and we’ll see how Shaun goes on him. We’re very thankful for all the work Emily has done with him.

‘‘Shaun is very keen to ride him. We’re hopeful he can race well. A lot depends on how the ground is,’’ Rees said.

Ellerslie was rated a heavy 11 yesterday, conditions Laekeeper has handled well in the past, though his most recent wins have been on slightly better slow 9 and heavy 10 tracks.

TAB bookmakers have Wellington Hurdle (3400m) winner No Tip as a $2.60 favourite ahead of Laekeeper at $3.30.

Ideally, Rees said, Laekeeper would again contest the Great Northern Hurdle (4190m) at Ellerslie on September 7.

Fannin will also partner today’s Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4900m) favourite Raisafuasho at Ellerslie.