WICKLOW-born Shane Jackson registered a career highlight on Tuesday by winning Warnambool’s Grand Annual Steeplechase with the New Zealand-bred Raise The Flag gelding Ablaze.

With a well-paced ride, Jackson kept the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained eight-year-old well back in the eight-horse field before improving his position the second time through Brierly’s Paddock.

Stalking Zed Em, the 2019 winner, Jackson and Ablaze bided their time well aware of the 7kg they were in receipt of the top-weight’s 73kg impost. Levelling up at the final jump of the $315,000 and 5,500-metre marathon, Ablaze jumped clear and ran to the line strongly to post an eight-length win over Gold Medals, whom Jackson won the 2018 Brierly Steeplechase on but had to forego the winning Grand Annual mount because of prior commitment. Zed Em hung on for third spot, beaten by 10 lengths.

Crowds

Jackson said: “To have that one ticked off, it’s the race I’ve always wanted to win. I know there’s no crowds here but it doesn’t matter. It’s such a thrill. He’s a good horse and he’s the star of the next few years. It’ll take a damn good one to come out and beat him.”

Ablaze now boasts an unblemished jumps record having won four-from-four, his first a maiden hurdle at Casterton in August 2019.

A clue to Ablaze’s staying bona fides was his win the 4,600-metre Jericho Cup in December on the flat at Warrnambool.

“To win The Jericho and to come back in his third start over jumps to win a race like this is phenomenal,” said CIaron Maher who was celebrating a fifth Grand Annual success and his first with David Eustace. “Full credit to my brother (Declan) and the team at Ballarat and to Jacko (Shane Jackson). I’m just rapt to have a horse like that.”

Short lands Gallywood with Gobstopper

WITH Warrnambool’s iconic three-day May Carnival reduced to two, jumps 0n Tuesday, flat on Wednesday, Tuesday’s Grand Annual Steeplechase was supported by five hurdles and two other steeplechases.

The feature Gallywood Hurdle over 3,200 metres and worth $135,000 was taken out by Eric Musgrove and Irish jockey Ronan Short with the $21 outsider Gobstopper. The pair wore down the short-priced favourite to win by a half-head in a thrilling finish defeating the Shane Jackson-ridden, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Runaway.

“I’ve watched Ronan ride quite a bit,” said Musgrove. “He’s a real trier, works hard and horses normally jump for him. It was a great ride and he is a very tough little horse. He was left here for me to train by Andrew Campbell from New Zealand.”

Having arrived on a one year working holiday visa in 2018, Ronan Short rode his first winner on Tangara in a Morphetville hurdle in July last year.

The 22-year-old Short said: “Had a great run throughout. Winged the hurdles. Eric just said to be pretty positive about his hurdles and it worked out. They were two tired horses, but he stuck his head down and wanted to win. And to get one for Eric as well. He gave me my first winner in Australia.”

Gobstopper, a seven-year-old with 10 wins under his belt, is ironically a full-brother to the Saturday’s Group 1 Australasian Oaks winner Toffee Tongue, being by Tavistock out of the Zabeel mare Bagalollies.

Getting Leggie a bargain buy

“I LOVE this horse - I love him,” said Nick Smart after winning the $135,000 Brierly Steeplechase with Getting Leggie, a horse he bought for $1,000 at the 2014 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale. “We were going for the Grand Annual to be honest but when it was going to be a wet track we came back for this race. He’s just tough and he can jump. I’ve got a heap of mates in this horse and a few of them have given me some grief so it’s great to stick it up them.”

Ridden by Clayton Douglas Getting Leggie, a $14 chance, won by over a length from Lucques and I’ll’ava’alf.