Triumph then tribulation for jumps jockey

CENTRAL Districts rider David Jensen experienced jumps racing’s ultimate high and ultimate low at Riverton yesterday.

The 26yearold scored his first win in the saddle when The Young Pretenda won by an ultraimpressive 173⁄4 lengths in his second hurdle start.

Less than two hours later, Jensen was sent crashing to the turf when flung from the saddle of Gingerman in the open steeplechase.

The tumble resulted in the jockey nursing a minor concussion when he was supposed to be celebrating his maiden win.

Jensen was left with a mix of elation from his win and relief that he did not receive any other injuries from his crash.

The Foxtonbased rider was having his first ride at Riverton yesterday and he was highly impressed his winner, The Young Pretenda.

‘‘It was a pretty easy win for that horse. He got through the ground easy and he was just peaking on the day,’’ Jensen said.

Jensen is keen to head back to Riverton to continue his associa tion with the JoAnn Gordontrained jumper after he recovers from his concussion, he said.

Rugged Gore steeplechaser Tai Ho produced a win that suggests he is in for a big jumping season in the open steeplechase.

The 3400m event looked to be a stepping stone to bigger races later in the season for the Ellis Winsloetrained jumper whose best form has come over much longer trips.

But Tai Ho put paid to that theory and blew away race favourite Yipson when winning by more than 20 lengths.

Minor injuries from a floating mishap forced trainers Brian and Shane Anderton to scratch their star jumper, Jackfrost, from yesterday’s open hurdles.

Jackfrost arrived back at White Robe Lodge in good spirits and is unlikely to miss any further races, Brian Anderton said.

The horse’s scratching left the hurdle event in Whanganui raider Zentangle’s lap and he did not let his backers down.

The reigning Waimate Cup winner strode to a comfortable win for trainer Kevin Myers and rider Shaun Fannin.