Fawcett kicking a goal
FORMER All Black fullback Kit Fawcett is kicking a few goals on the race track but the big test is yet to come for the horse he races with good friends David and Philippa Fullerton.
Monarch Chimes has burst on to the jumping scene with all guns blazing winning superbly on hurdle’s debut recently and backing that up at Rotorua on Saturday with an even more impressive winning display.
The winner two flat races stepped up to restricted open class hurdling and dispatched his more experienced rivals with ease for suitably impressed jockey Shaun Phelan.
‘‘I reckon he could be a Northern [Great Northern Hurdles] horse,’’ Phelan declared. ‘‘Huge improvement [today] from his last start and he could get better.’’
The 5-year-old’s Cambridge trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne had a fair idea they had a special jumper on their hands even before his skill became public.
They were quietly plotting a path towards the $125,000 September feature before his debut and the plan is being endorsed each time showcases his ability.
‘‘Obviously it was a big step up against the proper guns today,’’ Emma-Lee Browne said. ‘‘It was lovely to see the way he finished it off.’’
He cruised to the post in a manner suggesting the increase from Saturday’s 3,000m to the 4190m of the northern will hold no fears.
‘‘We were sort of in two minds after his last start whether to go back to flat racing with him,’’ she said. ‘‘But he loves his jumping and he’s never done so well in the stable since he started jumping.
‘‘Usually he’s a horse who sweats up and all that, but he’s come here today and he’s just loving it - he’s a bit more on to it when he’s jumping.’’
The son of Shinko King had runner-up Ngario well covered while last year’s Northern runner-up Raisafuasho ran on from the rear for third from Old Coountess and Coolibah.
Coolibah was having his first hurdle race since 2015 when he won three from three in the role before injury intervened.
He should improve sharply with his latest outing and while he couldn’t win for owner-trainer Lesley Munro Raaj did what his older half-brother by Istidaad couldn’t.
The 5-year-old by Iffraaj was lucky to survive a major scare at the last obstacle to win the maiden hurdle over 3,000m in the hands of rookie jockey Michael Roustoby.
The winner of three on the flat was having his second hurdle start and disappointed in his first at Hastings, hence his $36 win dividend on Saturday.
However, he had an excuse for his failure when a stone bruise surfaced after that run.
Back to full fitness he loomed into contention as the field swung TRISH DUNELL for home on Saturday and went to the lead ears pricked only to crash through the final jump almost unseating his jockey.
Roustoby kept his composure and they clung to victory from Eddie Gilbert with Jem Runner third.
‘‘He got to the front and started to look about,’’ Roustoby said.