Racing: Eynon follows instructions to perfection

Richard Eynon. Photo / Northern Advocate

The genius of John Wheeler contributed to a brilliant ride by Richard Eynon to win yesterday's A$160,000 Great Eastern Steeplechase at Oakbank in South Australia.

Wheeler said on Friday that he couldn't quite remember how many times he had won one of Australia's greatest steeplechases - it was seven times.

What he did remember was how he won them - a good hit-out in the Von Dousa Steeples on Saturday, 48 hours before the big race, but not a gut-buster, and to save as much ground as possible during the running on Oakbank's unique tight, turning track in the longer big race.

After Petushki came from near last for a fast-finishing close second in the Van Dousa he looked a good thing yesterday, but Eynon had to play his part.

He couldn't have ridden better.

Eynon had the favourite back early, moved into second just inside the last lap, then appeared to be taking things casually when the new leader Al Garhood shot six or seven lengths clear in the back straight the last time.

The race looked over, but Eynon held his nerve and held Petushki back well beyond the leaders.

It helped enormously that Al Garhood's rider went wide on the sharp home turn bend when all the fences were behind them and he might have been competitive for the win if he'd stayed close to the inside rail around the bend.

Eynon did and Petushki, quickly drove clear.

"That was a super ride," said Wheeler, "You just have to do that to win here."

Wheeler had been confident of his second runner Banna Strand forming the quinella with Petushki and in a great battle for second Banna Strand just nosed out Fasilenko with Al Garhood wilting to fourth.

There is no mystery that setting horses to get into major Australian races at the right weight to be competitive is critical and Wheeler sneaked both his horses in on the minimum weight of 64kg.

Wheeler has a problem - he indicated recently he would love to cut his team back. He had three horses race at Oakbank yesterday, which means if he wants to win the Derby, Railway, Telegraph, Karaka Million and a few other group one races, he has seven spots left in his stable if he cuts the team back to 10.

* Rory Hutchings picked the right day to record his first raceday winner.

Not only was it at Ellerslie, New Zealand's premier racetrack where Hutchings pushed his talents into the headlines, it was on a day when we all remembered those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our democracy and Ellerslie remembered its heroes.

Hutchings, in his 13th race ride, narrowly won the Norm Holland Medal on outsider Me Aroha, which meant a lot to the Matamata teenager, winning a race named after a legend, who last season received the award for Outstanding Contribution To Racing.

And it wasn't easy for him.

Hutchings lost his whip 80m from the finish when locked in a desperate battle with the favourite Magic In Me.

The youngster showed a fair bit of potential and composure after losing the whip and deserved the win.

This was not a win going nowhere - Hutchings said his ambition was "to be the best" and part-time trainer Wayne Jeffcoat said he was aiming Me Aroha at a Melbourne staying campaign.

* Snow Excuse scored a big debut juvenile victory for Cambridge trainer Ralph Manning. Snow Excuse got back early, and produced a huge effort under Michael Coleman to narrowly get the better of Ginga Ninja.