Bayles trainers Cindy and Colin Alderson (above) get their hands on the Australian Hurdle trophy, after Brad McLean piloted Hooker Road (right) to victory at Sandown on Saturday. 32109 By Paul Pickering
BAYLES-based father-and-daughter duo Colin and Cindy Alderson lavished praise on their second-season jumper, Hooker Road, after its courageous win in the Australian Hurdle (3400m) at Sandown on Saturday.
The diminutive seven-year-old stumbled over a hurdle at the 1400m mark, then dodged a riderless horse down the home straight to win by a neck from Kiwi gelding Yamanaura.
The determined run, which followed a brave second in the Galleywood at Warrnambool last month, left the Aldersons and jockey Brad McLean stunned.
“He just fought and fought,” Cindy marvelled from the winners’ circle.
“We always thought that he’d be bettering his second season (of jumping) and he’s been fantastic over the fences. His stamina is beyond doubt and I just think that’s what got him there today.”
McLean guided Hooker Road wide on the track when riderless favourite Pentiffic – having thrown jockey Craig Durden from the saddle at the ninth hurdle – veered into their path, and he was impressed by how the little gelding responded.
“He’s small, but he’s got a big heart, and that makes all the difference in these big races,” McLean declared.
During the presentations, Cindy thanked her father – a multiple Group One winner – for “teaching me everything I know”.
Young Pakenham trainer Matt Leek watched his six-year-old hope Big Noise finish eight after leading for much of the journey.
Meanwhile, Officer trainer Eric Musgrove was an anxious onlooker as locally-owned Wheel the Lead unseated jockey Adam Trinder and ploughed into trackside fencing.
Earlier, Clyde trainer Robbie Laing completed an astonishing feat when his eight-year-old champion Mazzacano stormed to an historic victory in the Australian Steeplechase.
Mazzacano, which won the race in 2007, overcame a hefty 69.5kg handicap and a two-year injury layoff to come from seventh place at the 800m mark and hold off fast-finishing Brookton Mist by three-quarters of a length.
Laing, who had another stunning first-up victory with Sir Pentire in last month’s Warrnambool Grand Annual, said he would now look towards the Crisp and Grand National steeples before considering a possible trip to England for the Aintree Grand National.
