Two horses fell and another lost its rider in a dramatic but fatality-free jumps race on day two of the Warrnambool carnival, which later featured Saunter Boy’s stirring win in the Galleywood Hurdle.
Lord Pierro came down early in the 3450-metre Decron Dunroe Steeplechase, bringing down rider Ronan Short, while Mighty Oasis was making a testing run before the final turn, but crashed to the ground under jockey Shaun Phelan, as local Symon Wilde’s two contenders – Tolemac and Under The Bridge – battled out the race in scenes reminiscent of last year’s Brierly Steeplechase.
Saunter Boy (left) and Instigator in full flight in the Galleywood Hurdle at Warrnambool.Credit: Getty Images
The race also saw Youl Dash For Cash jump over the steeples without a rider for much of the race after Richard O’Donoghue lost his balance earlier in the contest, but vets cleared all horses of injury.
Phelan was taken to hospital for precautionary scans after experiencing back pain. O’Donoghue had a sore left arm, but otherwise he and Short were OK and cleared to continue riding.
St Arnicca was euthanised on the first day of the carnival on Wednesday after he lost his footing while jumping the second-last fence in the Brierly Steeplechase and stumbled.
Tolemac prevailed for Wilde, showing his liking for the heavy conditions, which were at their most treacherous following a wild night of weather in Victoria’s south-west.
“I reckon with this type of horse he could develop into a Brierly horse this time next year,” Wilde said.
“He’s got a nice little turn of foot, and he jumps so well.
“… for a horse having his first steeplechase start, he got in close to a couple, but he didn’t lose any momentum.
“He’s good on all types of ground. He does handle the heavy but is fine on better surfaces as well.”
Steven Pateman with Saunter Boy.Credit: Getty Images
Racing Victoria stewards, after consulting the riders, decided 20 minutes before the race to remove the first jump in Brierly Paddock due to the heavy conditions, and will decide on Thursday whether to reinstate the jump for the Grand Annual.
Stewards have the option to move the location of the jump slightly to overcome rain-affected ground.
The feature event, two races after the Decron Dunroe, went to Melbourne Cup-winning trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, who prepared Saunter Boy to defend his Galleywood Hurdle title carrying a record weight of 71 kilograms.
The Australian Bloodstock-owned jumper was once a Melbourne Cup aspirant, bred in France and imported from Europe like last year’s winner Gold Trip.
But after showing limited ability as a flat-racing stayer in Australia, which included a 10th-placed finish in the 2020 Sydney Cup, he was transferred from Kris Lees to Maher to pursue a jumps career.
His win on Wednesday saw him become the first horse since Sylvan Heights in 2002 and 2003 to go back to back in the Galleywood, joining Black And Bent as only the third horse to win the race twice.
For Maher and Eustace, it was their third win in the race, while jockey Steven Pateman joined John Allen and Brad McLean as a four-time Galleywood winner.
“Super horse, he was always in control,” Maher said of Saunter Boy, who jumped a $1.80 favourite.
“A great job by the team, a lot of owners here. I was very confident. He’s just a super horse, to come back and to win with the weights he does, he’s very, very good.
“A lot of work goes into these horses. He’s obviously a stable favourite … To send the horse down and see if he liked jumping, what a champion he’s become and kudos to them for giving us the opportunity.”
Meanwhile, the Wangoom Handicap went to the locals – trainer Daniel Bowman and jockey Dean Yendall combining on Outlaws Revenge.
“I don’t train jumpers so this and the Cup are the target races,” Bowman said.
“I’ve had shocking luck in this race. I’ve had the second favourite who got a temperature the night before. Scratched Begood Toya Mother last year.
“Set him for the race and great ride by Dean … he [Outlaws Revenge] is a bit of a pig and can be a bit arrogant, but shit he’s got a motor.”
News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
