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Ellerslie Results (Race 4)

Saturday, 22nd August 2015

4
13:28
(local)

The Tractor Centre Hrdl

WT: 65kg Type: HDLE
NZD $50,000
3350m TURF HEAVY
4
13:28
(local)
NZD $50,000
3350m HEAVY

The Tractor Centre Hrdl

WT: 65kg Type: HDLE

The Premier Hurdle event here followed the dramatic maiden steeplechase prior with a last fence fall too that proved fortuitous to others. The first three home all were well back on settling but tellingly Boy, who would have won but for falling at the final fence, was a clear co-leader down the backstraight and took over under a grip across the top. Just Got Home was ridden cold and made ground tellingly into a distant third across the top before reaching second turning for home. He was going to finish second too but the leader fell at the final fence leaving him in the lead so was a tad lucky but then again you have to stay upright to score. It was his fourth win as a hurdler from nine victories overall, so that flat ability is a big tick between the fences and of course he loves the mud and Ellerslie. His stamina is the doubt regarding the Great Northern Hurdle (4190m) in a few weeks after a distant eighth in it last year. Then again the jumper depth is weaker now so the 8yo just might be give another shot at it by trainer Rudy Liefting. The runner up Lucky Tonight was super and will stay and swim all day as he covered a lot of extra ground throughout. The third finisher Ready Eddie moved into the race across the top but was going to be fourth before the home turn only to fortuitously become a dividend payer. Master Michael was not too bad after losing his spot then improving wide and while one paced he does keep grinding away. The rest were distant and must have a double over getting the Great Northern Hurdle trip of 4190m here in a few weeks. The saving grace for all is the track was a holding bog today (the last flat winner nearly ran 1:50 for the mile) and surely the footing cannot be as poor then. Boy would have won but for the last fence fall and if all is okay then no reason why he would not win the Great Northern but confidence is a big thing with leapers. Thenamesbond was uncontrollable with a saddle shifted forward after 1000m and had to be pulled up.

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