The main focus of the meeting at
Morphettville were the two big jumps races with both SA Grand Nationals
being run on the same day. With the jumps season (which started in
March) into its final two weeks most of the newer promising jumpers in
the spelling paddock while the established jumpers compete for the title
races at the end of the season with Irish Jumps Jockey Challenge raceday
the big finale at the end of August.
The day started off with a small but competitive field of 4 where
Alberdini and Karlovasi went to the line locked together with Karlovasi
edging ahead on the line with Beluga Blue third. The onto the SA
Grand National Hurdle on the main Morphettville track where Baklava Boy
led early from Agreement and Shiny Manners then Angelology and Bold
Zamour with About the Journey slowly out of the gates. Into the
home straight the first time and Baklava Boy was well in front from
Agreement then Angelology who was racing a little ungenerously followed
by Shiny Manners and About the Journey with Bold Zamour at the rear.
Over the second jump in the straight and Angelology had moved up to the
lead ahead of Baklava Boy with the rest of the field bunched up close
behind. By the 1600m Angelology led Baklava Boy then Shiny Manners
and Agreement with Bold Zamour and About the Journey at the back. Inside
the 1000m Baklava Boy went up to join Angelology with Bold Zamour making
a run around Shiny Manners and Agreement. Around the turn Baklava
Boy was narrowly ahead of Angelology as Bold Zamour made ground on the
leaders then Shiny Manners on the inside as Agreement and About the
Journey started to run on. Over the second last Bold Zamour landed
in front from Baklava Boy and Angelology with Shiny Manners running on
between runners and Agreement and About the Journey wider out. Coming to
the last Bold Zamour started to pull away from the opposition and put in
a perfect jump over the last from Agreement and Shiny Manners who jumped
together from Angelology then Baklava Boy and About the Journey.
Bold Zamour came away to win easily from Shiny Manners who outstayed
Agreement for second then closely followed by Baklava Boy, About the
Journey and Angelology. It was Bold Zamour's 8th jump start and
4th of this campaign which had started where he ranged up to challenge
the leader at the last jump but lost concentration and fell. He
then jumped well in very wet conditions at Gawler to regain confidence
before running 3rd two weeks later at Morphettville before a flat run to
prepare to todays race. Bold Zamour by Zabeel has now had 34
starts for 4 wins and 8 placings with 8 starts over jumps for 2 wins and
3 placings.
In the third race Glaneuse raced to his 15th win from Creance with
Little Akie third before focus went back onto the second feature of the
day.
Run on the Parks track the SA Grand National Steeplechase saw three
across the track over the first jump where Geeceegazza hit the front
from Spying on You and Zataglio then Mannertone followed Dumosa and
Urban Explorer. Into the straight on the first lap Geeceegazza led
from Spying on You and Zataglio then Dumosa and Mannertone with Urban
Explorer still at the back. LIttle changed until the 1400m where
Geeceegazza led from Spying on You who was nearly on terms then Zataglio
who put in a sticky jump next with Mannertone then Dumosa and Urban
Explorer. Over the jump at the 800m Geeceegazza was just in front
as Zataglio, Mannertone and Urban Explorer put in runs with Spying on
You close up and Dumosa looking for a run near the rails. Turning
for home Zataglio and Urban Explorer were racing together nearly in
stride from Mannertone and Geeceegazza as Dumosa moved to make his run
around the outside. Zataglio and Urban Explorer jumped the second
last together as Dumosa moved to a clear third. Into the last
fence Urban Explorer sighted the fence perfectly putting in a brilliant
leap but Zataglio tried to put an extra stride in before the jump.
This resulted in Zataglio stumbling on landing with rider John Allen
doing a remarkable job to stay aboard. It made all the difference
as Urban Explorer gained the advantage to come away to win from Zataglio
who got balanced and fought on strongly but lost too much momentum with
Dumosa a clear third from Mannertone then Geeceegazza with Spying on You
retired from the race as soon as he started to lose ground on the field
around the home turn (and a great call of the concluding stages and run
on by the racecaller in the action packed finish). Urban Explorer
carried 72kg for his third major win in SA and became the third horse to
win the SA Grand National Hurdle, Harry D Young Hurdle at Oakbank and SA
Grand National Steeplechase behind New Delhi in the 1960s and Zama Lad
in the 1980s.
The fifth race went to Cuban Fighter in the last stride from Shearer
with Mickiem third in another exciting finish to the third distance race
on the program while Hoylake was too good in the 6th race.
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Race 1 |
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Race 2 - SA Grand National Hurdle |
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Race 3 |
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Race 4 SA Grand National
Steeplechase |
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Race 5 |
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Race 6 |
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