Protest upheld in hurdle drama
THE theatre of jumps racing was graphically evident in Saturday’s prestige jumps races at Ellerslie.
The open hurdle (3350m) was in its infancy when race favourite Raisafuasho crashed to the turf.
In the Pakuranga Hunt Cup the steeplechasers staged an exciting four-way finish with Kick Back and Shaun Fannin claiming the honours.
After Raisafuasho crashed, the open hurdle continued without further incident until the combatants got down to business in the final few hundred metres.
Richard Cully had ridden a faultless race on Ngatira Gold, saving every inch of ground on the rail.
He launched his challenge and raced to the lead, the visiting Australian jockey riding desperately for young trainer Samantha Logan.
Challenges came from the outside in the form of Nancho Lass ridden by Charlie Studd for Logan’s partner Craig Thornton and topweight Just Got Home ridden by Aaron Kuru for Rudi Liefting.
Cully’s desperation to get the best out of Ngatira Gold proved costly.
The Gold Centre gelding held on by a neck from Nancho Lass with short neck to Just Got Home.
Logan was ready to celebrate when the shrill of the protest siren blasted across the course.
Stewards lodged protests on behalf of the second and third horses against the winner
In the inquiry room Cully acknowledged his horse had drifted outwards but felt he had the measure of the other two and had every opportunity to beat him.
‘‘Neither rider stopped riding their horses,’’ he said. ‘‘If they want to run in lanes they should paint lines on the track.’’
However, the protest was upheld promoting Nancho Lass to first, Just Got Home to second with Ngatira Gold relegated to third.
Thornton will need to shout dinner for his partner as the disappointment of losing what would have been her biggest training win was snatched from her.
Consolation will rest with the big effort of Ngatira Gold which signalled him as a major hope in the Great Northern Hurdle (4190m)on September 3.
If the weather holds Just Got Home will join Ngatira Gold and Nancho Lass in the race.
Rider Emily Farr riding in front of her parents visiting from Wales, had a miserable day. It promised so much with a second on Henry Tudor in the first and favoured rides to follow.
She crashed on favourite Mr Nancho in the maiden steeple TRISH DUNELL PHOTOGRAPHY.
‘ If they want to run in lanes they should paint lines on the track.’ RICHARD CULLY
escaping uninjured, but her fortune took a turn for the worse in the Raisafuasho fall.
She was taken to hospital to be treated for concussion.
Which of the first four home in the Hunt Cup (4900m) starts favourite in the Great Northern (6400m) in a fortnight remains to be seen.
Kevin Myers’ power was again evident as pint-sized mare Kick Back came with a late run to snatch victory off last year’s winner Jack Romanov.
Cully’s day got no better as his mount Jack Romanov had the race at his mercy until Fannin drove Kick Back past him by a head.
Fannin has had an unbelievable winter highlighted by his Grand National Hurdle win on Ngario for the all-conquering Myers stable. He can’t wait for the Northern. ‘‘The extra distance will hold no qualms for her,’’ he said.’’That was some effort, she flew the last.’’
Mark Brooks was happy with Jack Romanov’s effort.