Racing: A bridesmaid no Mor

Charlie Studd and Mr Mor are clear in the Hawke's Bay Steeples. Photo / Trish Dunnell

Wanganui gelding Mr Mor shook off the disappointment of a narrow defeat in the Manawatu Steeplechase at his last start to go one better on Saturday when he captured the $50,000 Hawke's Bay Steeplechase at Hastings.

Originally missing from the nominations for the Animal Health Direct sponsored event, Mr Mor was added to the field by co-trainers Evan and JJ Rayner in a last minute decision that provided the ultimate reward.

Handled patiently by rider Charlie Studd the rising eleven-year-old kept in touch with a solid pace set by local hope No Quota as the field negotiated the 4800 metre journey. With the entire field basically in touch with a little over 1200 metres to run it was Hawkes Bay Hurdle winning rider from earlier in the day, Matthew Gillies, who seized the initiative as he went for the doctor on Rosetown Joe.

Rosetown Joe quickly broke the field up with race favourite Upper Cut the major casualty as he drifted out of contention. Studd and Mr Mor didn't panic and set off after the tearaway while No Quota, Wotabuzz and Snowdroptwinkletoes also chimed in as they headed to the final fence in the home straight.

Mr Mor cleared the last with a comprehensive leap and forged to a lead that he held to the winning post to head a brave Wotabuzz and No Quota who both battled nicely to fill the minor placings.

Co-trainer JJ Rayner was overcome with emotion after the race.

"We weren't even coming today," admitted a tearful Rayner immediately after the race.

"Then we saw the nominations and thought why not, it's a $50,000 race so we decided to come over and here we are. It's just amazing."

The victory made it win number eight from 78 starts for the gelding by Corrupt with four of those wins coming on the flat during the early days of a career that commenced back in 2006. Rayner and father Evan prepared remarkable performer Van Winkle who numbered the Wellington Hurdles (twice), the Waikato and Awapuni Hurdles along with the Taumarunui Gold Cup (twice) on the flat amongst his 18 career wins.

- NZ Racing Desk