Warrnambool played host to an outstanding afternoon of jumps racing last Sunday.
The effort of Sea King to come from two jumps (at one stage) behind the tearaway leader Nishiazabu, and carry 71.5kg to victory in the Thackeray Steeple was simply stunning.
The thrills and spills were on display earlier in the day with a spectacular three-horse tumble at the second-last jump in the Kevin Lafferty Hurdle.
This was the same obstacle Cliff’s Dream lost his life at during the May carnival.
The jump comes up soon after the horses leave the course proper and join steeple lane.
Watching on Racing.com, it appears there is occasionally a bit of a squeeze as jockeys try and save ground at this point of the race.
Paul Bloodworth, manager of jumps racing for Racing Victoria, is well aware of the situation.
“The jumps review panel has twice considered the location of obstacles in the jumping lane and believe that on balance the status quo should remain,” he said.
“The panel reviewed both instances and made no recommendations (because) the horses simply made errors at these jumps.”
Bloodworth didn’t rule out a suggestion that the jump could be moved to the home straight.
“Well, there is no rule relating to where the final jump in a race has to be,” he said. “The only rule is that the first has to be not more than 150m from the start.
“There hasn’t been a request from the club to add another jump in the straight but we would happily consider it. It has been mentioned to me a few times in passing by jumps racing fans,” he added.
New leader
Consistent rider Richard Cully swept to the lead in the jockeys’ division of the J.J Houlahan Championship on Sunday.
The series recognises the leading horse, jockey and trainer in races worth $100,000 or more through the season.
Points are awarded on a 12, 8, 6, 4 and 2 scale for the first five home.
Cully’s third (Earthbound) and fourth (No Song No Supper) at Warrnambool made it seven straight races that he has earned points. He’s now on 40, two clear of Martin Kelly.
Kelly had little luck at the ’Bool on the weekend. First he eased Millusion Beach out of the race when well beaten in the opening race. He looked a chance coming to the second last in the Kevin Lafferty Hurdle, aboard About The Journey, but was tipped off when Gold Spur fell in front of him.
Nishi gets nearer
Thubiaan still holds the lead in the race for the leading horse title but his chances of defending the honour are looking slim.
He is out for the winter with a slight knee injury. Nishiazabu’s brave on-pace second in the Thackeray Steeple earned him eight points to move to 28, two behind Thubiaan.
Arch Fire is now outright third on 26 after placing at his first run over the fences.
Payne makes a move      
Patrick Payne picked up 10 points on Eric Musgrove in the race for the top trainer award.
Musgrove moved to 66 when Earthbound earned him six points in the Lafferty Hurdle.
However, Payne secured 16 (to move to 54) from the Thackeray Steeple with Sea King (12) winning and No Song No Supper (4) running fourth. Darren Weir remains third on 34 points.
Versatile performer
At last year’s May carnival the Bob Challis-trained Stand To Gain completed a remarkable treble.
He added the Galleywood Hurdle to the Sydney Cup he won in 2011, and before that (2009) he won in Chantilly, France.
Stand to Gain has found the going a bit tougher over the jumps this season and was retired after being pulled up last Sunday.
He ended up the winner of seven races (two over the jumps) for earnings of $794,709.
Track rap
Jumps racing heads back to Racing.com Park this Sunday.
The meeting at this venue on June 26 was very well received, with riders raving about the excellent condition of the track.
Sunday features the inaugural running of the J.E.H Spencer Memorial Steeplechase.