Racing: (Tough) Gold Jet flies

Call Gold Jet anything you like, just make sure you use 'tough' in front of it.

Eight days ago the Mosgiel-trained gelding won at Riccarton, then on Sunday trekked north to Hamilton, worked well through the week then prevailed in the closest possible finish of the $50,000 Ecolab Waikato Steeplechase.

The 8-year-old made it back-to-back Waikato Steeplechases with his gutsy win, only the second horse to do so, with Tom Hazlett the pilot both times. Hazlett took a fall at Te Rapa a fortnight ago and his delight in yesterday's win was evident as he brought Gold Jet back to scale.

Only a long neck and a head separated the first three home at the end of the 4900m, with the Tony Cole-prepared Deceit grabbing second after leading over the final fence while Lucky Tip filled third for trainer Kevin Myers and rider Isaac Lupton. Fourth home, South Island visitor Cairnbrae, was 12 lengths in arrears of Lucky Tip.

Two horses fell, Tokiocity at the first fence and Kia King at the second. But once the remainder of the field were in full stride the jumping improved and the race was on in earnest. The Browne-trained Bit of a Myth set a solid pace and was only headed when the big three set about their business with 600m to run. Look for this horse to start winning as the tracks get even softer in the months ahead.

Trained by Brian and Shane Anderton, Gold Tip is on track to repeat the notable North Island double he collected last year with a crack at a second Hawkes Bay Steeplechase win on the cards after yesterday's victory. With five wins and two placings from his eight steeplechase races, Gold Jet has the talent and required toughness to acquit himself well in the likes of the Great Northern Steeplechase or the other option the Andertons are now considering, Australia.

Deceit was bidding to become the third mare to win the feature and the first since Quenby Hall in 1964.

Gold Jet is part owned by Isabell Roddick, breeder of the outstanding galloper Rough Habit who generally shone across the Tasman at around this time of the year.

DON'T BE surprised if Makaraka trainer Joanne Moss is spotted in a Gisborne bookshop buying a copy of Teach Yourself Japanese after the easy win by Blakes Boy in the Waikato Hurdles.

Moss had a taste of Japanese hospitality when she accompanied Fontera to Tokyo in April as New Zealand's invited competitor in the world's richest jump race, the $2 million Nakayama Grand Jump.

"Fontera ran second in the lead up in Japan but fell in the big one," Moss recalled yesterday. "Fontera won this race last year and looking at how he [Blakes Boy] won today, if all went well, perhaps he could get an invitation next year."

Blakes Boy was impressive in winning the $40,000 Te Rapa feature, giving Isaac Lupton successive wins in the event.

Lupton has seven wins over fences this season and went within a half-length of a notable double when his mount Lucky Tip was third in the feature 'chase.

The Dunstan Feeds Hurdles was a tight affair until the home turn when Blakes Boy grabbed the bit, pricked his ears and put four lengths on his rivals.

Lupton just had to steer the 5-year-old son of Yachtie to the line. Almost seven lengths behind him, Van Winkle took second under Coran Pemberton. Just Jeff and Aaron Tata filled third spot.

The eighth favourite in an even betting affair, Blakes Boy paid just $12.15 to win and $3.45 for a place. Favourite Van Winkle paid $1.65 for second while third elect Just Jeff paid $2.35.

Moss has things pretty much to herself as the only public trainer operating at the Makaraka facility. But her team of 12, along with the horses she pre-trains for Kevin Myers, spend most of their time at the local beach.

"The horses get worked over up to 8km each day at the beach," Moss reports.

"They are pretty fit and of course the beach is great for their legs if they have any niggles. The down side of where we are is the travel required to every meeting. But the advantages of being able to work horses up to 12 kilometres on the beach outweigh the driving."

Last season Moss prepared Cool Water to win the Grand National Hurdles at Riccarton and the same race could be on the cards now for Blakes Boy in an effort to possibly secure a Japanese invitation. 

It took Vinny Colgan just two races to make it back into the winner's circle after three months on the sidelines.

While he has fallen off any number of horses through his career, it was a tumble off his motorbike in February that sidelined the senior jockey.

On his first day back at the races, Colgan doubted his fitness would hold up and was delighted to post a win with the Tim Carter-trained Danz Star in the second race on the card, the John Walker Printers 1600.

"I have been going to the gym up to four times a week and doing plenty of cardio work but there is nothing like race riding to find out if you are fit or not," Colgan said.

"I also made the decision to drink plenty of water through the day and starting off at 54.5 kg, I had to forgo some rides later as my weight was going to creep up. Still, I am delighted to be back and to get through today without a problem. It's all go from now on, but I still haven't decided what to do with that motorbike!"

One of the rides Colgan had to miss was aboard Hatepe in the Eprinex 2000, the catch ride producing a quality win for apprentice Claire Anderson.

The win would also have been a fillip for part-owner NZTR chairman Guy Sargent who looks to have plenty on his plate holding his code together as the press for governmental assistance grows.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY