The Kiwis hit early on the opening day of Warrnambool’s three-day May carnival, with the Mark Walker-trained Leaderboard winning the two-mile maiden hurdle on Tuesday in the hands of expat Kiwi jumps jockey Aaron Kuru.
The American-bred son of Street Cry was given a hurdle trial earlier this month after arriving at Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne barn and jumped well when finishing runner-up in the Maiden Hurdle (3200m) at Pakenham 11 days later.
He was positioned beautifully in the one-one by Kuru for much of the race on Tuesday before he was asked to improve three wide down the back straight. He hit the lead just after the second-to-last hurdle and continued to break away to score a comfortable 3-3/4 length victory.
“It will be a huge thrill for Mark (Walker), it’s his first runner at the Warrnambool Carnival and his first winner,” Kuru said.
“We’re all extremely proud what he and the Te Akau team have done over here, so congratulations.
“I thought we had a kind time throughout (the race) and we were going pretty steady. I knew I had a good galloper underneath me and his jumping was really good today.
“I had a lot in reserve, but he’s a bit tricky this horse and can pull up if he hits the front too soon. I was there (in front) a long way from home and hoping I could get him across the line.
“He’s such a good galloper and I knew I just had to use that to my strengths. Fair play to the horse, he’s done a great job today.”
Raced by New Zealand syndicator Fortuna, Leaderboard was purchased in October 2018 at the Tattersalls Sale in the United Kingdom and has gone on to win eight races, including the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m), and has earned more than $400,000 in prizemoney.
“It’s a great thrill to win with our first runner at the Warrnambool Carnival, and John and Jessica (Galvin, Fortuna principals) and their owners are terrific supporters of the stable,” Walker said.
“He’s been a great old horse, to win a Wellington Cup and now a Maiden Hurdle at such a prestigious carnival.
“He’s got a very bright future in the jumps role and it’s a great thrill to have won the race. I’ve always loved jumps racing and hopefully it can continue to be well supported in New Zealand.”
John Glavin was on course soaking up the unique atmosphere that Warrnambool offers.
“There are over 50 owners in this horse, but I’m the only man standing here today,” he said.
“It’s my first time to Warrnambool and it’s a fantastic carnival, so it’s a pleasure to be here.
“We had a degree of confidence. He’s a lovely galloper and jumper and he’ll get better over the bigger jumps, I think. So today was a wee bit of a test, but he took no prisoners out there.
“It’s always good when you leg-up Aaron (Kuru), you always know we’ve got a good chance.”