A New Heir To Hurdling Throne?
- Sunday, 01 August 2010 04:23
Regal Heir, at only his fourth hurdling start, captured one of the biggest races on the jumping calendar in winning the $100,000 Kevin Lafferty Hurdle (4150m) at Warrnambool this afternoon.
His victory was slightly overshadowed by two star jumpers, Some Are Bent and Mazzacano, failing to finish the race with their immediate racing future sure to come under question.
Ridden by Nathan Dunn, Regal Heir settled in a midfield position as Desert Master led ahead of Some Are Bent, Vindicating and Tibooburra Travis.
Mazzacano, who settled in last position, lost contact with the field as they made their way into the back straight for the second occasion.
Gavin Bedggood wasted no time in retiring the ten-year-old out of the race, approximately 1000 metres from the finish.
Bullecourt was the next to be pulled up with four hurdles remaining by Craig Durden before Some Are Bent wilted dramatically as the tempo lifted approaching the second last hurdle at the 600 metre mark.
Brad McLean took no chances and for the third time from his last four starts, Some Are Bent failed to complete the course.
His sudden demise threatened to spoil the chances of Regal Heir.
“The horse usually gets back but we elected to take a more leading position and not let Some Are Bent get too much of a lead on us,” Dunn said.
“I tacked onto Some Are Bent around the back straight when we started to make a race of it.
“I thought he’d take me into the race but he didn’t.
“I then took it up with Desert Master and he was the stronger of the two in the end.”
Regal Heir and Desert Master jumped the final fence together with Regal Heir galloping clear of the late challenge of Corries.
Regal Heir ($8-$11) defeated Corries ($11-$15) by 1-1/4 lengths with Desert Master ($11-$13) a further five lengths adrift in third.
Tibooburra Travis ($5-$5.50-$5) was a tad disappointing, only holding his ground throughout to finish fourth ahead of Sparking ($6-$7-$6).
Trainer Ciaron Maher said that he was quietly confident of a sound performance from Regal Heir considering his record on his home track.
“He’s only won three races and all have been here on heavy tracks – the ground was never a concern,” Maher said.
Boasting an overall record of three wins and six placings from 25 starts, Regal Heir has a 50% winning record over the jumps and has now accumulated in excess of $90,000 in prizemoney.
Meanwhile, today’s victory was Dunn’s fourth at Warrnambool this season. He has ridden six winners this season.
Pictures: Jenny Barnes
