Racing: Camouflage pops out of hiding for big race

A rarity in today's Grand National Steeplechase field is Camouflage.

The Ann Browne-trained gelding goes into the $60,000 event at Riccarton having not raced on the flat, which is most unusual for a jumper trained in New Zealand.

Most New Zealand jumpers would usually start their racing careers on the flat and even if they didn't they would have a flat race somewhere along the way to help keep up fitness levels for an upcoming jumping race.

But that is not case for Camouflage; he has raced 15 times with five starts over hurdles and the other 10 in steeplechases.

Browne said while the horse was always destined to be a jumper it was not entirely by design he had not raced on the flat.

At the end of one year he was about to make his debut in a flat race when he developed a tendon problem.

He was turned out of training and given plenty of time to recover, Browne recalled.

"We decided to leave it for the whole of the next year and he's been all right. It never came to anything," she said yesterday.

Browne said one reason she was able to be so patient with Camouflage was that he was surplus to requirements.

"I didn't really need him at that stage. I had enough horses," she said.

It was only 15 months ago as a 7-year-old when Camouflage had his first race.

Browne said she considered racing him on the flat and believed he could have won a race or two. But jumping was to be his game and at his age there was little time to delay it any further.

"It was at the stage when it was just about too late to start racing him on the flat. He was a bit excitable too, so I decided to leave it."

Camouflage has not been placed in any of his hurdle races but shows promise as a steeplechaser.

From 10 starts over the bigger fences he has two wins, a second and three thirds.

"He hasn't done a lot in his life but I think he's all right," Browne said.

Camouflage has measured up to better company at his last two starts.

He beat all but Crown Dancer in the $25,000 Interisland Steeplechase (4800m) at Paeroa on July 26 and at Riccarton last Saturday was third to I'manace in the $35,000 Ken Browne Memorial Steeplechase (4150m), a race named after Ann Browne's late husband.

I'manace won the race by six lengths but Camouflage was only a length from runner-up No Hero.

Browne said rider Joanne Rathbone told her the horse was a little unlucky.

"She said she was a victim of circumstances," Browne said.

"She was stuck on the inside and couldn't go when she wanted to.

"Then they sprinted a bit, he was left a bit flat-footed but he wound up quite well after that."

Browne, who has left Camouflage in the care of granddaughter Missy Browne in Christchurch, said she would not be surprised if the horse showed improvement from last Saturday's race.

But the certainty of very heavy track conditions was a concern.

"I feel he's better when the ground is not too bad."

A consolation was the steeplechase course is on the outside of the wide course proper at Riccarton and the footing is much drier.

Browne said that was partly the reason their great jumper Crown Star, who won two Grand National Steeplechases, was able to perform at Riccarton despite his preference for good tracks.

"Crown Star could win down there when it was wet because they race on the outside."

Camouflage was a $5.50 third favourite yesterday on the TAB fixed-odds market behind No Hero at $2.50 and Bogeyman ($3.75).

A scratching yesterday for the race was Doc Knapp who was found to be suffering from corns on his front hooves.

In the today's other jumps feature, the $60,000 Grand National Hurdles, the topweight Van Winkle remained at $2.50 favourite ahead of Gliding ($3.25) and Gallant Son ($6).

- NZPA