Jackfrost gives rivals cold shoulder
Jackfrost claimed a special double when he outlasted his rivals to win an action-packed Great Northern Hurdle (4200m) at Te Aroha.
Scenes of unbridled jubilation from his large group of owners greeted the Brian and Shane Anderton-trained eight-year-old as he returned to the winner’s enclosure after adding the biggest hurdle event in the north to his Grand National Hurdles title at Riccarton last month.
The capacity field put on an enthralling contest. Free-goer Banbury Lad set up a hectic pace as he strung the field out by up to 30 lengths in the early stages.
Jackfrost and rider Buddy Lammas, who gained the mount after regular pilot Stuart Higgins was suspended for his ride on the horse in the Grand National, bided their time at the rear of the field.
Former Sydney Cup winner Gallante and local favourite Laekeeper split the field when they dashed clear with 1200m to run with the Paul Nelson-trained Second Innings stalking them as they approached the home turn. By this time Lammas had Jackfrost humming as he closed in on the trio before issuing his challenge at the second to last fence. Second Innings hit the front but botched the two remaining jumps to succumb to Jackfrost who sent owners, the Frosty’s Shoutin’ The Beers Syndicate, into a joyous delirium.
‘‘It was a wonderful training effort by Brian and Shane and we are indebted to their tremendous ability,’’ said syndicate member Michael House, a prominent Canterbury harness racing trainer, after the race.
‘‘It’s a great thrill and I don’t think I’ve ever yelled so much. They are a great bunch of weirdos (the syndicate) that just love racing and I’m indebted to their friendship on this journey.
‘‘He’s only a little slight horse but he has a tremendous staying ability. He was a race fit horse who was handling it well and seeing his fences better with each one he got to.
‘‘Brian Anderton said a couple of years ago this horse would make a great jumper even though he wasn’t training him at the time. He’s ended up in his stable because of that vision.’’
Lammas, who was having his first ride on the Gallant Guru gelding, was remarkably calm after claiming the prestigious event.
‘‘We were a bit far back from where I wanted to be but when I popped out he just cruised up to them,’’ he said.
‘‘He travelled up nicely and when the front-runner mucked up the last couple we caught them quite easily then. He’s a lovely horse and I’m grateful for the ride although sorry for Stuart who couldn’t ride him.’’
It was the second major jumping victory for Lammas in less than a month after he claimed the Grand National Steeplechase (5500m) on Shamal at Riccarton recently.
● Meanwhile Chocolate Fish proved his staying credentials when he out-toughed his rivals in the Great Northern Steeplechase
(6300m). Traditionally run over the famed Ellerslie hill this year’s edition was transplanted to Te Aroha due to the extensive track renovations recently completed at the premier Auckland venue.
Chocolate Fish’s trainer Shane Brown had tasted disappointment at the recent Grand National meeting at Riccarton where the horse could only manage a well beaten third in the big steeplechase contest after starting favourite.
Any regrets were quickly cast aside as the Colombia nine-yearold put on a proficient display of jumping for rider Shaun Phelan to capture his biggest career victory. Allowed to track the speed throughout Phelan put the acid on his rivals as he urged his mount to the front with two fences to run.
Race favourite Perry Mason went with him, as did Grand National winner Shamal, but they were both left in his wake as Chocolate Fish called on all his reserves to forge clear.
‘‘We’re always the bridesmaid but this time the horse just gave all day and he just keeps going,’’ Phelan said.
‘‘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.’’
NZ Racing Desk