Chocolate Fish toughs out steeplechase win
WELLINGTON: Chocolate Fish proved his credentials as an outandout stayer when he won the Great Northern Steeplechase (6300m) at Te Aroha yesterday.
The race was transferred to Te Aroha due to extensive track renovations at Ellerslie, but the move did not detract from the prestigious race.
Woodville trainer Shane Brown was disappointed at the Grand National meeting in Christchurch last month when Chocolate Fish, as race favourite, was a wellbeaten third in the signature steeplechase. But yesterday as the Colombia 9yrold jumped proficiently for jockey Shaun Phelan to secure his biggest win.
After tracking the speed, Phelan decided to put the acid on his rivals with two fences to run. The favourite, Perry Mason, went with him, as did Grand National winner Shamal, but they were left trailing as Choco late Fish forged clear in the run to the post.
‘‘We’re always the bridesmaid but this time the horse just gave all day and he just keeps going,’’ Phelan said.
‘‘He put himself there today which was really good as usually he drops out, switches off and it takes me a round to wind him up.
‘‘I was happy that I was following Thenamesbond the whole way, although I did get a little bit of panic when they swept around
me at the 600m and didn’t give me a lot of room.
‘‘I thought, bugger it, I will just ride him ugly and pull him out wide as when he gets open space he runs. My only worry was hitting the front too soon as he can shy and look around, but he was just too good.’’
Brown tried to keep his emotions in check as he waited for his charge to return to the birdcage.
‘‘That’s fantastic. I thought we had the best stayer so I said to Shaun to put him in the race and he will outtough them.
‘‘A lot of people said he was a bit of a ‘gunna’ but he’s just a genuine stayer who will go all day.
‘‘He’s a 9yrold that’s only had 25 starts but he won his maiden [steeplechase] race firstup and has been up against the big guns ever since . . . I’m just rapt for the horse as he deserved that.’’ — NZ Racing Desk