WELLINGTON - A "desperately slow" failed eventer has claimed one of the great races at Trentham.
Harrison Ford changed the habits of a lifetime to win the $50,000 Wellington Steeplechase on Saturday and become one of the most unlikely big race winners of modern times.
The eight-year-old had won only one race before Saturday and had paid a dividend only three times in five seasons as a racehorse.
He was with his fourth trainer and had been given away as a six-year-old to be tried as an eventer, only returning to racing because he had been a hopeless proposition in that field.
His one previous win had been in a steeplechase at Ellerslie over 3200m, the minimum distance for a steeplechase and 2200m shorter than Saturday's assignment.
In addition, his rider Nathan Hanley, though thoroughly competent, had never won a race in New Zealand worth more than $20,000.
However, one factor Harrison Ford did have in his favour was his trainer, Tony Cole.
Cole, who has an outstanding record with jumpers, took over the preparation of Harrison Ford late last winter.
The horse had still not looked like a star in the making but his form had improved.
He won a maiden steeplechase at Ellerslie first up this year, beating Emergency and then ran third, albeit beaten 29 lengths, behind Trout Secrets in a novice steeplechase at the Great Northern meeting at Ellerslie in June.
However, he did not look a logical Wellington Steeplechase winner when finishing last in the McGregor Grant Steeplechase, beaten 32 lengths by Reb's Shu or when fourth in the Novice Steeplechase at Trentham last Wednesday.
After his Novice Steeplechase run, part-owner Ray Knight suggested to Cole that the horse return home rather than tackle the Wellington Steeplechase.
He suggest Cole lower his sights and pick out a one-win race somewhere.
Cole was swayed by the fact that the Wellington Steeplechase field was small and not as strong as usual, and the likelihood of a good track at Trentham.
As well, Cole's wife Lou, who was looking after Harrison Ford, reported that the horse had come through Wednesday's race well.
Said Lou Cole: "I took his heart rate after the race and it was 17 (for 10 seconds) which indicated that he was as fit as we could possibly get him."
Even so, the Coles' still rated Harrison Ford as only a "runner's chance" and the horse was the outsider of the seven-horse field and paid $14.35 to win.
It was also Lou Cole who described Harrison Ford as "desperately slow".
"He really is devoid of pace and would be flat winning a maiden qualifying trial over any distance," she said.
"But he has got a bit of ticker."
- NZPA
Steeples victory out of character
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