Mesmerize has field in a trance in steeples

The Connors family were to the fore in a major jumping race in New Zealand yesterday when consistent fencer Mesmerize produced a comprehensive performance to win the Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) at Te Rapa.

The rising 12-year-old, who has come into his own with four steeplechase wins, was on-song and rider Shaun Fannin had plenty of horse under him as he hit the front with one fence to clear in the run home before striding away from gallant pacemaker and last year’s winner It’s A Wonder to win by just over two lengths.

Trainer Raymond Connors said: “It does seem he really has gained his confidence since he started winning, which is about time, and you can’t beat confidence.

“He travelled superbly throughout and was really strong when he made his challenge for Shaun.

“It was a lovely ride as he saved him up for the last run at them, which worked out perfectly.”

Connors will now look to the next feature jumping event in the north, the McGregor Grant Steeplechase (4150m) at Ellerslie on June 7, as a target for his charge.

“We will give him a crack at the McGregor Grant next, as he likes it at Ellerslie,” he said. “He has won his last two over the hill there, so it fits him well”.

● Underrated galloper Belle Plaisir sprang a minor upset when she picked up her first victory at stakes level when taking out the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) on her home track at Awapuni.

The Lucy Tanner-trained and part-owned 4-year-old had won her previous start over a similar distance (1550m) at the venue but was ignored by punters for yesterday’s feature, being sent out at odds better than $23.

“That was just so exciting and quite emotional for me,” Tanner said.

“While I have a job outside of training, horses are my life, and to win this race is very special.

“She [Belle Plaisir] is a very good horse who hasn’t had a lot of luck, with bad draws and the like.

“She won nicely at her last start and that gave her plenty of confidence, so I was expecting a good run from her, even though most of the critics seemed to have written her off,” Tanner said.