Grand National Steeplechase to Shamal
WELLINGTON: Hunterville visitor Shamal capitalised on a perfect trip throughout to win the 144th running of the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton Park on Saturday.
The Ken Duncantrained 8yrold hugged the rails throughout as rider Buddy Lammas positioned him behind the steady pace set by stablemates Amanood Lad and Kings Deep. Shamal never covered extra ground until Lammas angled him into the clear to make his challenge with two fences left to run in the timehonoured event.
Gore hope Tai Ho joined issue at that point and the pair drew clear to fight out the finish.
Shamal proved too tough in the final stages as he eased clear to score the biggest win of his 38start career.
Lammas, who had partnered Shamal to victory in the Manawatu Steeplechase at Trentham last month in his first ride on the Zabeel gelding, admitted he was confident of a win as his charge had travelled so comfortably.
‘‘He travelled really good,’’ he said.
‘‘Last time I led on him and this time I took a sit. He was pulling all the way but I just had that much horse underneath me.
‘‘I knew once we got over the last fence all I had to do was keep him going and he fought really well to the line.’’
The decision to bring the horse to Riccarton had been made relatively late in the piece.
‘‘The plans don’t go back that long as he is a daytoday proposition,’’ Duncan said.
‘‘When we lined him up at Wellington he wasn’t quite as I would have I wanted him, but he still won well. The improved track conditions in the middle there were a great help which gave me some confidence.
‘‘I really looked at the weather forecast and the sun gods have come out for me.
‘‘It’s a huge thrill as it has been in my family for generations to win this race so it’s just fantastic.’’
Duncan is no stranger to success in New Zealand’s prestige jumping events, having produced pintsized mare Wee Biskit to win the Great Northern Hurdles in 2014, along with consecutive victories in the 2015 and 2016 Wellington Hurdles.
Race favourite Chocolate Fish put in his usual honest finish to snatch third while the sentimental favourite, the 14yrold Amanood Lad, weakened to sixth.
Jockey Lisa Allpress followed the adage that the shortest way home in any race is hard up on the rails as she guided the lightly raced Dez to victory in the Winter Classic (1800m).
Dez gave Allpress a torrid time as he pulled hard for much of the race before settling into his rhythm with 600m left to run.
As the field fanned wide in search of better footing, Dez scooted through on the fence. He held out a late challenge from Winter Cup winner Platinum Command, with Elfee finishing strongly for third.
‘‘He tries hard and has finished off a great week,’’ his Waipukurau trainer, Simon Wilson, said.
‘‘He’s taken a bit of time as he had an injury, but he’s getting better and better with more ringcraft as he’s been a bit green.’’ — NZ Racing Desk