News

Jumps lands on its feet

29th Apr 2010

*Herald Sun - Michael Manley - Tuesday, 27 April 2010

THE dress rehearsal for Warrnambool's three-day jumps carnival came up with an almost-clean report card.

Warrnambool chief executive John Green said the horses handled the new jumps confidently, which augured well for next week.

There were only two incidents from the 11 trials over 2800m - Monymony fell, while seasoned jumper Toulouse Lautrec slipped on the flat and lost his rider Trent Wells.

Brett Scott, who fell from Monymony, said his horse shortened stride and then stumbled. Although Monymony was taken off in a horse float, Scott said that was just to get him off the course quickly with trials being held every 15 minutes. "He's as good as gold. He's just pulled a muscle," Scott said.

The riderless Toulouse Lautrec was found in a street near the racecourse after he jumped the outside rail and then a 1.8m cyclone fence.

Trainer Chris Hyland said Toulouse Lautrec would now not run in the Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) next Tuesday.

"It was probably touch and go anyway as he had to trial at Cranbourne last Friday to qualify and then again yesterday," Hyland said.

"The jockey said he lost his balance and slipped on landing. He's all right."

Hyland will be represented by in-form flat performer Tibooburra Travis in the Galleywood Hurdle (3200m).

Warrnambool trainer Ciaron Maher was happy with Al Garhood and Pentacolo after both won trials. Al Garhood will run in the Brierly, but Maher is undecided on the Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m).

Last year Al Garhood won the Brierly and then finished second in the Grand Annual.

"Last year he ran in both and it bottomed him out. There's some nice new races at Warrnambool coming up and I would like to keep him up for them," Maher said.

Maher said Pentacolo would run in the Grand Annual after finishing fourth last year.