Australian plans firming up after hurdle success
WELLINGTON: Gifted jumper Monarch Chimes could be on his way back to Australia following his win in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdle on Saturday.
A return trip to Victoria is being considered by trainers EmmaLee and David Browne and the horse’s chances of booking himself a trip were boosted when he won the race in emphatic fashion.
‘‘He’s a very good jumper and we’re proud of him. We’re tossing up whether to go back to Australia with him,’’ EmmaLee Browne said.
‘‘It was a very good performance and good to see him in front again.’’
Monarch Chimes could be aimed at the Grand National Hurdles at Sandown on August 5 and the Grand National Steeplechase at the same track a fortnight later.
Monarch Chimes finished in the money in both of his starts at the Warrnambool jumping carnival in the autumn.
He reunited with Shaun Phelan on Saturday and they sat off the pace before improving sharply 700m from home in Saturday’s event.
The pair were in the front at the top of the straight and cleared the last two flights neatly to account for No Change and It’s A Wonder.
‘‘There wasn’t a lot of pace in the race and the main thing was to get him to relax,’’ Phelan said.
‘‘When I pushed the button he was ready to go.
‘‘He was always going better than the other horse, although to be fair to him, he stuck on.’’
Phelan has now won four races on Monarch Chimes, who is partowned by former All Black Kit Fawcett.
‘‘I’m unbeaten on him; it’s pretty special,’’ Phelan said.
‘‘He only ever does what he has to. He’s a pretty good horse.’’ — NZ Racing Desk
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There wasn’t a lot of pace in the race and the main thing was to get
him to relax