Affordable takes first Riccarton jumps feature
Fledgling jumper Affordable (Hardham) opened the time-honoured Winter Carnival at Riccarton with a comprehensive performance to take out the first of the jumping features, the Avon City Ford Sydenham Hurdles (3100m).
Having just his sixth start for trainer and part-owner Jo Rathbone and only his third over hurdles, the former Hong Kong galloper looked every inch a serious contender for next Saturday’s Hospitality NZ Canterbury 136th Grand National Hurdles (4200m) with a tough staying effort in the hands of regular pilot Jay Kozaczek.
Kozaczek was content to sit in behind the early speed set up by stablemate Billy Boy (NZ) (So You Think) and Hidalgo (NZ) (Pure Champion) before pushing forward to join the leading pair with 1000m to run and apply plenty of pressure on their outer.
Affordable responded to Kozaczek’s urgings around the home bend and shot clear before maintaining a powerful gallop to the winning post to defeat race favourite Quid and Dictation, who both chased gamely but never looked like getting past the winner.
Rathbone who shares in the ownership of the seven-year-old with her partner Simon Harrison and Marcus Corban was delighted with the ride by Kozaczek, who had worked out he needed to keep Affordable concentrating on his jumping throughout.
“That was good to see as he has always shown a bit, but he doesn’t always try that hard,” Rathbone said.
“Jay has ridden him a couple of times now and after last start when he (Affordable) dropped off he learnt that you have to keep him up and travelling.
“With a run like this you can only hope he can keep getting better.”
Kozaczek was also taken by the effort of the winner.
“He has plenty of ability and is so lovely to ride,” he said.
“He can be a bit lazy but you just have to change things up.
“After his last run I said to Jo I’ve got him now, I know what he needs.”
TAB bookmakers reacted quickly by shortening the Fixed Odds available on the horse in the Grand National Hurdles to $4.20 behind favourite Quid (NZ) (Rios) ($3.80) who also produced an eye-catching lead-up with his strong late run.
Affordable has now had 34 starts for seven wins and more than $338,000 in stakes earnings after adding his third New Zealand victory to the four he achieved prior to coming to the country.
It was a mixed result in the race for Rathbone with second favourite and recent Wellington Hurdles (3200m) winner Billy Boy being pulled up after dropping away prior to the home bend.
