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MELBOURNE - Trainer Heather Frew and jumps jockey Tommy Logan shared career highlights at Sandown on Saturday when they combined to win the Grand National Steeplechase with tough fencer Clearview Bay.
Over a gruelling 4530m on a very heavy track, Clearview Bay (A$9.50) put in a magnificent leap over the last of the 17 fences in the A$250,000 feature and went on to score by 2- 1/4 lengths from Swift Rule (A$6.50).
Grand National Hurdle runner-up Ginolad (A$4 fav) was a short half-head away third with Conzeal (A$8) another 15 lengths back in fourth place.
Frew was represented at Sandown by her husband Kevin who marvelled at Clearview Bay.
"He's just a tough horse," Frew said of the Ignatius gelding who as a 2-year-old was accused of being a speedy squib.
The Frews, who hail from New Zealand, once pre-trained horses for Warwick Farm trainer Guy Walter before moving to South Australia where they set up at Mount Gambier for several years before moving to their current base at Strathalbyn.
After winning a 600m trial by six lengths, Clearview Bay was expected to win a 900m 2-year-old event at the Mount Gambier Cup carnival but weakened to finish a disappointing fifth.
However the Frews turned him around by training him differently and having him ridden from behind.
The 7-year-old is now one of Australia's best'chasers, this season winning the Von Doussa Steeple and finishing second in the Great Eastern Steeple, both at Oakbank at Easter.
He then won the Brierly Steeple under 69kg before losing his rider Craig Durden in the Grand Annual Steeple, both at Warrnambool in May.
In his final lead-up to the National, Clearview Bay appeared to have the St Steven Steeple all wrapped up at Moonee Valley on June 23 but fell at the last fence.
Logan, having his third ride in the race, picked up the mount on Clearview Bay when Durden suffered a broken hand in a race fall early last month which has put him out of action for the rest of the season.
Having his third ride on Clearview Bay, which included the Moonee Valley fall, Logan raised his whip in victory as he passed the winning post.
He said his previous best win was on Pay The Aces in the Ted Best Hurdle at the Valley the same day he fell with Clearview Bay.
"He jumped unreal, he didn't make a mistake today," Logan said of Clearview Bay.
- AAP
