A trio of in-form stablemates will represent a new training combination when they start their quests on Saturday for a place in the Jericho Cup (4600m) in Victoria later this year.
Danish jockey Lucas Olsen didn’t envisage riding on raceday when he decided to come to New Zealand for a working holiday, but at Hawera on Sunday he rode his first winner down under.
Awapuni trainer Mark Oulaghan provided the highlight of the final day of the Riccarton Grand National meeting, as he produced a winning double in the feature jumps events with stablemates West Coast and Berry The Cash.
Outstanding hurdler Happy Star showed he was at peak fitness to defend his Hospitality NZ Grand National Hurdles (4200m) crown next weekend when he cruised away to win the traditional lead-up event at Riccarton, the Avon City Ford Sydenham Hurdles.
Mixing training a team of horses with being the country’s leading jumps jockey keeps Shaun Fannin fairly busy, however, he has found success in both roles this season, culminating in a fourth Jumps Jockey Premiership title.
A perfectly judged ride by Shaun Fannin helped pave the way for West Coast to add another feature steeplechasing event to his blossoming career record when the pair took out the Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) at Trentham.
Hometown lad Shaun Fannin was full of emotion at Hastings racecourse on Saturday after attaining a lifelong dream of winning the Hawke’s Bay Hurdle and Steeplechase double.
