Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)
By Kevin Robertson, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
Race favourite West Coast displayed all of his undoubted class over the fences when he made the AHD-Animal Health Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m) a one-horse affair in the final stages, winning under a hold by more than 16 lengths.
Rider Shaun Fannin bided his time in mid-field throughout as local runner Shackleton’s Edge set up the pace with stablemate Argyll, Izymydaad and Donardo in close attendance.
Fannin commenced his move on the Mark Oulaghan-trained runner with 1200m to run and steadily made up ground to be camped behind the pace before looming large on the outer turning for home.
With rider Buddy Lammas having parted company with Izymydaad at the fence in the home straight a lap earlier, runners were directed away from the last obstacle, paving the way for West Coast to race clear ahead of Tittletattle, who steadily closed on the leaders after being tailed off in the early running and a brave Argyll who stuck on gamely.
Oulaghan, who prepared the Letham Stud-bred son of Mettre En Jeu to win the race in 2022, was pleased to see the way his charge settled during the running after advising Fannin he would like to see the horse ridden with a sit.
“We’re delighted with that result and it was good to see that he was so strong at the finish,” Oulaghan said.
“I had said to Shaun just to see if he could settle him and play a waiting game and he did the job perfectly.
“He’s a very versatile horse who is good on all track conditions and as we look forward with him, you want to see them finishing off like he did.”
Oulaghan will now assess how West Coast recovers from his exertions but has a pair of upcoming features in his sights.
“As long as he does well from here then I think we will go to Trentham for the Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) next,” he said.
“Safely through that then the Grand National Steeplechase (6300m) at Riccarton would be the next challenge.”
The Wellington Steeplechase is one of the feature events at Trentham on 15 July while the 148th Grand National Steeplechase will be contested at Riccarton on 12 August, a race that West Coast also took out in 2022. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
