Waikato trainer Tony Cole tried his best to put on a brave face after his jumper Harrison Ford died following the running of the Grand National Steeplechase.
Harrison Ford crashed heavily at the first fence of the stand double with a round to go.
Cole rushed to the Harrison Ford's aid and was amazed the horse got back to his feet. But he got no further than the parade ring behind the stands where he collapsed and died, little more than a few minutes after the race had finished.
Some time later Cole tried to take a philosophical approach when he said: "That's racing. Bugger."
They may not appear the words of someone shattered by the loss of a horse but it was about all he could think of. It was obvious Cole felt awkward being questioned about Harrison Ford's death and the hurt was clearly there.
It was only a month previously that Harrison Ford had risen from obscurity to win the $50,000 Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) at Trentham. What had been a dream was now a nightmare.
Cole said he could not expect the world to stop while he mourned his loss.
"There's work to do tomorrow," he said.
"There's a barn full of horses at home and you just have to get on with your job."
Cole's wife Lou let her feelings run more freely. She was in tears as she spoke of the horse she had cuddled with in the week she had been left in charge of for the horse's stay in the south.
Rider Nathan Hanley said Harrison Ford inexplicably put in an extra stride and ended up stepping over the sighter board which is placed in front of fences to give horses a guide where to jump from.
"He stood between the sighter board and the fence and just hit it with everything," Hanley said.
"Apart from that he was jumping extra; travelling beautifully. It was a mistake they sometimes make."
Harrison Ford was owned by Tony Cole in partnership with fellow jumping enthusiasts Ray Knight and Graeme Morgan.
Meanwhile, it was learned that a fractured pelvis was not enough to prevent veteran galloper Clarify from winning races.
The nine-year-old gained his best win to date when taking out the $35,000 Winter Classic Handicap (2000m) on Saturday, but earlier in his career he had to cope with a fractured pelvis, Auckland trainer Kevin Smith said.
"He won four races with it," Smith said.
However, the injury was at the lower end of the scale, he said.
"It sounds worse than it is."
Clarify has since recovered and yesterday's win was his eighth from 51 starts. Smith said he would now consider the group one $250,000 weight-for-age Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m) at Hastings on September 30.
"He had to win like that to be considered for the Kelt. We've only tried him up to a mile this year and he's still a fresh horse."
Clarify, by Starjo, scored impressively. He hit the front early in the run home and drew clear to score by three lengths.
It was Smith's best win as a trainer. He is in his seventh season of training and said the success was his 48th.
Clarify was sent out at odds of 9-1 after finishing mid-field in the group three $50,000 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton Park the previous Saturday.
Smith said Clarify was an unlucky runner in the Winter Cup.
"From a nice spot he was shuffled back to last," he said.
Second was the favourite Jaybejay. He was late working into the clear after trailing the leader and according to rider Michael Walker would have otherwise won.
A neck back third was Hilton Jewel while the second favourite Nothing Lika Tango make up ground to be a long head away fourth.
- NZPA
Racing: Harrison Ford gets up after fall only to die when feature finished
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