Brucie brave in Wellington Steeplechase triumph
Bulls trainer Raymond Connors may have unearthed his next top jumper following Brucie's (NZ) (Raise The Flag) brave win in the 136th Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (4900m) at Trentham on Thursday.
Connors has tasted plenty of success in jumps racing, initially as a jockey before forging a successful career as a trainer, with Thursday’s win being his second in the Trentham feature following Wise Men Say’s 2018 triumph.
Brucie had placed in last month’s Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m) at Trentham and jumped a $9.10 fourth favourite on Thursday, with all the money coming for $1.90 hot pot Never Look Back.
It was evergreen galloper Nedwin who took up pacemaking duties, with jockey Billy Marshall stalking the 11-year-old throughout aboard Brucie. With 800m to go, Marshall made his move and got on the inside of Nedwin and continued to apply pressure.
That pressure told as they entered the home straight, with Brucie having a one-length advantage, with Never Look Back taking chase after collaring Nedwin.
However, Brucie continued his forward momentum and ran out a 1-1/4 length winner over the Gail Temperton-trained gelding, with a further 3-3/4 lengths back to Nedwin in third.
“He was very impressive, he has jumped beautifully the whole way around,” Marshall said.
“I knew after last start that he probably needed the run a little bit.
“He is quite laidback, but is a very good jumper, so I knew I had to put pressure on the leaders, take over the race early on and he brought it home.
“I thought if I challenged him (Nedwin) early, and although not very fast, he (Brucie) will stay on. He has been a true hero.
“He kept cantering, he was never going to stop, he kept going, I can’t fault him.”
Brucie has now won one race on the flat and two over fences, with his prizemoney now sitting north of $82,000.
