Ciaron Maher and David Eustace's emerging jumping star Ablaze (NZ) (Raise The Flag {NZ}) remains on track for an unprecedented treble, having continued his unbeaten run over jumps in Australia with victory in the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle at Sandown.
Ablaze, now a 9-year-old, has already won the Grand Annual Steeplechase at Warrnambool earlier this year and will now target the Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat later this month, an achievement never before matched in Australian racing.
His latest win came in some style, as he led all the way in the Grand National Hurdle, winning by 1l from Bee Tee Junior (NZ) (Nom De Jeu {NZ}), with Gobstopper (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) in third, completing a Kiwi-bred trifecta.
Ablaze (blue sleeves) in the Grand National Hurdle at Sandown
Maher, a multiple Group 1-winning trainer, makes no secret of his love for his jumpers and was understandably rapt with his star, who was ridden by Shane Jackson.
“I get a great kick out of that,” Maher said. “I’ve never won a Grand National Hurdle so it’s a big thrill.
“This horse has been phenomenal since coming over here from New Zealand. Thankfully Rod (Lyons, part-owner) was having a beer in a pub with the other owners of the horse in the South Island and they decided to buy him and send him over.
“I’ve never won a Grand National Hurdle so it’s a big thrill." - Ciaron Maher
“We wanted to run him in the best races for the best purse and didn’t want to run him during the year. He’s only a neat horse and we didn’t want the weight to catch up with him. It’s a great job by the team and a fantastic ride by Shane Jackson.”
Maher said it was far from a perfect performance, but given it was his first start over jumps since May, he would take significant benefit from the run.
“He was a bit lairy in front, actually, at a couple of his hurdles,” Maher said. “You could see him flicking his ears and he looked like he was really enjoying himself. He just got underneath one at the top of the hill both times. It must just be half a stride out for him or something, but Shane really let him roll down the hill and use that weight advantage and his staying ability. It was bloody ten-out-of-ten.
“What a thrilling race. I thought we were home pretty easy and they made a late charge. Onwards and upwards now to the Grand National Steeple.”
Maher has indicated he would love to campaign Ablaze towards the famous Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree next year.
The Australian version of the Grand National Steeplechase is also likely to include Patrick Payne's Slowpoke Rodriguez (NZ) (Istidaad {USA}), who was a 5l winner of the Crisp Steeplechase.
Ridden by Steven Pateman, Slowpoke Rodriguez came from just off the pace and swept away to defeat Don't Be Shy (Bradbury's Luck) and Shamal (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ})
“We always said he deserved to win a feature and now he’s won two on the trot,” Pateman said of the 10-year-old.
“He’s an absolute dude of a horse and he’s a pleasure to ride."
It's onwards and upwards to the Grand National Steeple for a jubilant Ciaron Maher
