KEY POINTS:
Jim Speedy was one of Mark Oulaghan's first clients when the trainer set up about 20 years ago and his faith was rewarded when Counter Punch easily won the $60,000 Grand National Hurdles at Riccarton yesterday.
Speedy, a part-owner of Counter Punch, recalled how Oulaghan worked part-time for him at his Woodville farm before he started training.
Speedy returned the favour when Oulaghan started training and has had horses with him ever since.
Counter Punch is easily the best of them.
"I'm given him a few duds and he's given me a few duds," Speedy said.
"This is special because it's something I've always wanted to win, more so than the Great Northern even though it is worth more money," the 70-year-old said. "The Grand National has got a nice sound to it."
Counter Punch's hurdling record is now 10 starts for five wins and three seconds. Yesterday's winning stake of $37,500 took his overall earnings to $108,000.
The Yamanin Vital 7-year-old was bought by Oulaghan for $6000 at the South Island Sale for 2-year-olds held during then 2002 Grand National carnival.
At that carnival Oulaghan produced Miniskirt to win two races and her owners, Michael Ormsby, Aroha Duncan and Oulaghan, joined in ownership of Counter Punch.
Shares in Counter Punch were split into five, with Ormsby taking two. Counter Punch's win was Oulaghan's third in the Grand National Hurdles after Rand in 2000 and Yourtheman last year.
He said Counter Punch would be considered for the $100,000 Great Northern Hurdles at Ellerslie on September 29.
Yesterday's win was the second in the race for jockey Tom Hazlett after combining with Yourtheman last year.
Hazlett, based at Ashburton, said Counter Punch raced a little keenly in the early stages of the 4200m event.
"He jumped a bit rough early. But once he relaxed he dropped the bridle beautifully. He just cantered up to them at the top of the straight, he was full of running and I was extremely confident."
Hazlett allowed Counter Punch, a $3.10 favourite, to drop to the rear of the 12-horse field for much of the running.
He was on the improve inside the last 1000m, was fourth at the 800m and went to the lead after jumping the second-last fence with a little more than 400m to run.
Counter Punch came clear to score by eight lengths. Second was Nicholman who fought on after being handy throughout while there was nine lengths to Bold Trader third.
Four lengths away fourth was Striking who was ridden by top flat race jockey Michael Walker in his first ride over fences.
Dan Moran was fifth, but was probably not suited by the heavy ground.
- NZPA
