By MIKE DILLON
Paul Fitzgerald had some bad news for the big jumps race hopefuls of next year - Reb's Shu is 12 months away from being a proper jumper.
It didn't look that way when Reb's Shu ran the legs off a high class field in Saturday's $25,000 McGregor Grant Steeplechase at Ellerslie by 10 lengths.
But there is an element of the obvious in Fitzgerald's statement - Reb's Shu was having only his ninth jumps start on Saturday and has almost no experience in the major league.
One feature of Reb's Shu which will improve with experience is his tendency to overrace.
He went so keenly most of the way in front there was doubt he would be able to maintain his momentum, which makes you wonder what heights he will climb to when he puts it all together.
Three factors could easily have beaten Reb's Shu on Saturday,-
* He was taken on in front early by Prince Of Clouds.
* He became so confused by that challenge he looked likely to refuse, then ploughed through, the first fence down the back straight the first time.
* And he slipped badly on landing at the same fence a round later, nearly dislodging Fitzgerald.
"That was scary, I thought I was gone when my feet came out of the irons. My biggest worry of the race was getting my irons back, each time I tried he took off."
Fitzgerald got his own way in front after some stern words to Steven Douglas, who went with the winner on Prince Of Clouds in the early stages.
No surprise Reb's Shu's target will be next June's Mercedes Great Northern, a race trainer Robert Priscott is disappointed he missed this year.
"I know he is still learning, but it was my target with him all the way through this time," said Priscott.
"But it became obvious Ken Browne was going to put his speedy horses in it as a tactical move against the front runners and we pulled him out.
"I'm both pleased and disappointed I missed it because jumpers are hard to keep up."
English buyers will be disappointed they did not follow through on a deal to buy Reb's Shu last year.
"They went to the stage of vetting him, but then the money didn't come through," said Priscott.
Owner Ralph Bax missed the wedding service of a cousin's daughter at a church adjacent to Ellerslie to watch the race then immediately joined his wife Pauline for the reception.
Mercedes Northern winner Royal Ways battled on gamely into third, without ever looking a winning chance. The holding footing, in direct contrast to the loose, wet track for the Mercedes, did him no favours.
Racing: Reb's Shu set to join major jumps league
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