WELLINGTON - Otago jumper Melomai has taken on the tag of travelling companion after a poor display in Saturday's $A150,000 Grand National Hurdles in Melbourne.
Melomai ran out at many of his fences in the feature at Flemington and after being in the rear for most of the running was last of the seven finishers.
Wingatui co-trainer Shane Anderton said it was unlikely Melomai would race again over fences in Melbourne this campaign but would stay on as a companion for stablemate Bush Star.
"The other one (Bush Star) is still racing all right so he (Melomai) might as well stay here as a mate," Anderton said.
Anderton said as an alternative Melomai could race on the flat.
"We might give him a flat race and go home."
Melomai had been a winner on the flat in a graduation open over 1600m at Oamaru on May 26 before heading to Melbourne.
Anderton, who has also been Melomai's rider, said the six-year-old gelding had not taken to the Melbourne fences which are smaller than those in New Zealand.
"He had a fall over here in a jumping school and he's lost his confidence," he said.
"He's no slug. He's quite capable, but he hasn't adjusted to the fences over here - they're only half the size of our hurdles.
"We'll take him home and get him sorted out."
Melomai's form over fences includes a second in last year's Great Northern Hurdles (4190m) at Ellerslie and fourth in the 1998 Grand National Hurdles (4200m) at Riccarton.
The form of Bush Star in Melbourne has been more encouraging. He was fourth in Saturday's $A50,000 Crisp Steeplechase (4000m) at Flemington which followed a third in $A50,000 MacDonald Steeplechase (3200m) at Moonee Valley on June 24.
Anderton said two races have been earmarked as a possible next start for Bush Star.
They were a $A40,000 steeplechase at Moonee Valley on July 15 and the $A40,000 Great Southern Steeplechase (3400m) at Mornington five days later.
"There's a couple coming up and we'll just see how he gets over yesterday's run," Anderton said.
"At the moment we are probably leaning towards the Great Southern."
If the good form of Bush Star continued it was likely he would stay in Melbourne until the $A100,000 Hiskens Steeplechase (3700m) at Moonee Valley on July 29.
"He's probably a wee bit below the top ones but he's still gone two good races.
"He's picked up a couple of cheques. We had planned to stay until the Hiskens and we'll go for that if everything is still going all right."
Other New Zealander jumpers who raced at Flemington included Our Jonty and Stacey Jones, both from the Wanganui stable of Kevin Myers.
Our Jonty finished fifth in the Crisp Steeplechase. He was running on at the finish and will appreciate the extra 700m of the $A150,000 Grand National Steeplechase (4700m) at Flemington next Saturday.
Stacey Jones raced in the Grand National Hurdles on Saturday but was brought down at the third-last fence when appearing a winning chance.
Rochelle Lockett, rider of Stacey Jones, was philosophical at the fall.
"He didn't have anywhere to go. Those things happen," said Lockett.
She added the nine-year-old could return for next Saturday's Grand National Steeple providing he came through the race in good order.
- NZPA
Racing: Melomai staying on as mate after poor show
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