Racing: Jumps day full of tumbles

The first feature winter jumps race day took centre stage for all the wrong reasons at Te Rapa yesterday with a huge number of falls in the two main events.

The $33,500 Braxton Waikato Steeplechase saw runner after runner fall but luckily most racehorses and jockeys avoided serious injury.

The Te Awamutu-trained Climbing High and jockey Shelley Houston showed no mercy for the opposition pouncing on the leader Black Eagle with four fences remaining and easing down at the finish to score with plenty in hand.

Climbing High won by 22 lengths over Nana with a further 86 lengths back to Willie Winit (third). A further 511 (yes) lengths back fourth was the final finisher, Havana City.

Such was the unbelievable casualty rate Havana City was remounted after an early fall and completed the course to secure fourth stake money.

Despite a wet week in the Waikato, Te Rapa is the premier winter racing surface in New Zealand, so the track conditions could not be singled out as the reason for the falls.

Te Awamutu trainers Bill and Mark Weal have shown outstanding judgment switching Climbing High to steeplechase racing - scoring five wins from seven starts.

ISAAC LUPTON was out in front and out of trouble aboard Spirit Of Alaton and so scored an easy victory during an incident packed Waikato Hurdles.

The hot favourite, Mr Charlton, fell at the second fence - as did three other runners - leaving only five runners to complete the race.

Spirit Of Alaton was allowed an easy time in front throughout and safely jumped the hurdle fences scoring by 2 lengths over High Season with a further 14 lengths back to Wolf Pack (third).

Four Good Reasons battled in fourth position a further four lengths away. Cape Kinaveral finished fifth and picked up some valuable stake money.

Otaki-based trainer Rachel Frost had the 11-year-old Spirit Of Alaton ready for this feature jumping event with a recent spell of flat racing.

Spirit Of Alaton has only had two starts at Te Rapa, his other outing was when he won this event last year.

A STEP up in distance saw a pleasing return to winning form for the Cambridge-trained Head On High in the $25,000 Open Handicap over 2100m.

The 6-year-old gelding scored by 1 lengths over No Cash with a further 1 lengths back to I'm Isaac (third).

Te Rapa has been a happy hunting ground for the Paula Crean-trained runner, with two wins and a place from five starts.