Racing: Chase turns into three-horse slog

Isaac Lupton showed his incredible fitness as a jumps jockey when combining with Triplepan to score a determined victory in the $50,000 Wellington Steeplechase at Trentham yesterday.

The 5500m marathon developed into a three-horse war down the home stretch when Triplepan responded to an aggressive ride by Lupton to slog through the extremely heavy track conditions and win by 1 lengths over Willie Winit with a further six lengths back to Nana.

The pace-setting Monymony appeared to have his rivals in trouble with 600m remaining but faded into fourth place.

Lupton allowed Triplepan plenty of time to settle in the field and showed superior stamina and class on the flat after safely jumping the last fence.

Lupton has been the regular rider of Triplepan over the past 12 months but could not ride the 8-year-old in his last start when placed second at long odds in the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase.

TOM HAZLETT is the jockey to follow and smart punters profited from his impeccable skills yesterday.

Hazlett teamed up with Counter Punch to score an easy victory in the $50,000 Stella Artois Wellington Hurdles. This combination scored by 3 lengths over Arrastra with a further 25 lengths back to Hypnotize (third).

This followed an easy victory for Hazlett in the previous race aboard Big Brownie.

Counter Punch was presented in faultless physical condition by leading jumps trainer Mark Oulaghan who had the 8-year-old fit for a hard slog through the Trentham mud.

Counter Punch has fashioned a more than useful racing record on the left-handed track - three wins from six starts - and carrying 67kg did not trouble the gritty gelding.

NOEL HARRIS showed his customary patience and was rewarded with an effortless victory aboard the hot favourite High Powered in the $45,000 Whyte Handicap.

Harris allowed the 7-year-old plenty of time to settle at the back of the field and slowly work into the race before a blistering sprint down the extreme outside of the track to win by 2 lengths over Halls. A further 2 lengths away third was O'Ceirins Angel.

This was a fine achievement by Awapuni-based Jeff Lynds who had his charge well forward for the winter feature following a fresh-up fourth placing.

High Powered is a proven performer on heavy tracks - three wins and two minor placings from seven starts - and showed slick acceleration in the home stretch when reeling in the leaders.