Happy Star and Never Look Back claim Manawatu features
A revitalised former National winner and a rising star claimed top honours in Wednesday’s rescheduled jumping features at Trentham.
The Manawatu ITM Manawatu Hurdles (2500m) went the way of Happy Star (NZ) (Fabulous), a horse that is no stranger to feature success having won the Hawke’s Bay Hurdle (3100m), Grand National Hurdle (4200m) and was stakes-placed in a Rotorua Cup (2200m).
Defending champion Billy Boy (NZ) (So You Think) started favourite in the race, with Happy Star in contention at $6.30 alongside stablemate So Call Me (NZ) (Sweynesse) ($5.70).
Prepared by Kevin Myers, Happy Star settled nicely in the running for jockey Emily Farr while Billy Boy assumed his regular role at the head of the field. The son of Fabulous stepped his fences well and was full of running at the 800m, and after taking control on the home turn, proved too strong for So Call Me to take the contest by 2 ½ lengths.
Myers was pleased to see him back at his best, having come back from injury prior to last season.
“He’s had that bit of time off and he’s improving all the time, he’s back down in the weights now so we’ll probably come back to Wellington and head down to the National,” Myers said. “That’ll be his last hurrah.
“Last year we wanted to get him through and make sure he was 100 percent sound, but this year we are able to train him like a sound horse, which is making a big difference. He probably will have a steeplechase this year too at some point, he jumps them well.”
Farr was delighted to take the feature, with her partner Johno Benner in the ownership of Happy Star alongside Simon Barber.
“I’ve only had one race day start on him at Te Aroha and he didn’t actually go that well for me, so I said to Johno, maybe I’m not the person to ride him,” she said. “But I rode him at the point-to-points, and we have a nice association.
“My only strategy was to ride a race on him whether that be leading and dictating or taking a sit, but he was a bit slow away and he just switched off.
“He was wonderful, he jumped incredibly and after filling up the lungs in the back straight, he had plenty left and was strong in the finish.
“Thank you to Kevin, Ange, Caley and all of their team, they do a fantastic job of preparing and looking after him.”
Farr had a day to remember at the Upper Hutt course, also claiming the Manawatu ITM Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m) aboard Never Look Back (NZ) (Shocking).
Already proven over the hurdles, Never Look Back was having his first attempt over the bigger fences for trainer Gail Temperton and was backed right into short-priced favouritism.
He wasn’t an easy steer for Farr for much of the figure-eight circuit, racing keenly and finding himself up near the leaders. Despite this, he was right in contention as the pressure dialled up and fought out the finish with a game Saint Bernard, just having the upper hand late to stride clear by 1 ¼ lengths.
Farr was rapt to come out on top, particularly for a loyal supporter in Temperton who co-bred and co-owns the seven-year-old.
“Gail has been through a lot recently losing her partner and she’s always been so amazing, she wanted to have the horses ready and making sure Sparky (Never Look Back) was ready for today,” Farr said.
“We came here last Thursday, and I was really impressed with the way he jumped, so I was super confident with him and having had the hurdle run, I knew he was fit enough.
“He pulled really hard which is something we are working on, but he jumped super, he got himself out of tricky spots that a first-starter over steeples wouldn’t normally be able to do.
“I held him as long as I could, but he flew the double so I tried to see if I could get to the inside, but I didn’t have too – he was just too good. He was still a little bit novicey, he had a good look at the last, but he has the turn of foot to pick up on the flat.
“He’s just awesome.”
