Petushki Wins Great Eastern Steeple
- Monday, 25 April 2011 14:25
Trainer John Wheeler celebrated his eighth success in the $160,000 Scott Group of Companies Great Eastern Steeplechase (4950m) following the win of Petushki at Oakbank on Monday.
Petushki put the writing on the wall for Great Eastern success with a fast-finishing second in the $100,000 Von Doussa Steeplechase (3250m) on Saturday behind Vindicating.
The six-year-old son of Golan joins Touch Judge (1993), Tyrolia (1994), Light Hand (1995-96), Foxboy (1997), St Steven (2001) and Real Tonic (2006) as winners of South Australia’s richest jumps race for the master trainer.
While Petushki’s winning margin might not have been anywhere near that of Real Tonic’s 34 length romp, he was a dominant victor over the line for jockey Richard Eynon.
Leading New Zealand South Island flat and jumps jockey Daniel Stackhouse established a solid tempo in the lead for the first two laps of the race aboard South Road.
With over five furlongs remaining, Steven Pateman and last year’s Grand Annual winner Al Garhood inherited the lead from the weakening South Road and went for home down the back straight, opening up a six length break on the chasing pack.
However Eynon rode quietly aboard Petushki and as the field cleared the final fence, Al Garhood’s lead had evaporated with Petushki forging clear over the final furlong.
Petushki ($2 fav) defeated Banna Strand ($10) by 5-1/4 lengths with Fasilenko ($13) just edged out at the post for second.
Al Garhood ($4.80-$5.50) crossed the line a distant fourth, over 20 lengths from the nearest placegetter with Pateman’s early move on the final lap in hindsight perhaps ill-conceived.
Kenwick was the only faller in the event, coming down with two fences remaining. Both Kenwick and his rider Marty Kelly were fine after the accident.
Petushki, runner-up in the Group 1 2008 Queensland Derby (2400m), has now raced 46 times for six wins and six placings for over $335,000 in prizemoney.
Picture: Jenny Barnes
