Bluey
18-06-2009, 08:19 PM
Hooker Road, the little horse with the big weight and the bigger heart, survived an incident packed 3400m and proved himself a jumping giant in yesterday's Australian Hurdle at Sandown.
Emotional co trainer Colin Alderson, who trains Hooker Road in partnership with daughter Cindy, described Hooker Road's narrow but courageous win as among the thrills of his career.
"I've been around a long time and trained a lot of Group 1 winners but this has given me a buzz to match any of those wins," Alderson said.
"It's horses like this who rekindle your faith in racing. He's a tiny little thing and really no good. On the flat he had no future but in jumps racing he is a giant. He's amazing."
Yesterday's two big jumps features provided thrills and spills that separate jumps racing from the flat.
Mazzacano provided the thrills in the steeplechase, but the race itself is what will be best remembered from yesterday's Australian Hurdle.
The first heart in mouth moment was Hooker Road's wretched jump about the 1400m, the fifth last, when he almost dislodged jockey Brad McLean.
McLean said later Hooker Road gave that jump "a pretty decent hit" but praised the horse's ability to pick himself up and plough on.
Two jumps later well backed favourite, Pentiffic ($3.30), appeared to be travelling like the winner third on the fence when he clipped the heels of leader Yamanaura on landing, stumbled, tossed jockey Craig Durden and continued on without the rider.
Pentiffic veered into Hooker Road's path approaching the home turn and carted him wide.
"I thought he was going to take me right off the track at one stage. My heart was in my mouth," Alderson said.
"In the end it was probably a blessing in disguise because he might have given Hooker Road something to run along with."
It was quite a sight in the straight with four runners, five if you include Pentiffic, who led the charge over the last jump, within a length of each other.
Hooker Road ($6) kept fending them off, holding Yamanuara ($8), who fought back strongly, by a neck. Juan Carlos ($8) ran on well for third, a length away.
Disappointment of the race was Desert Master ($4.40), who showed no spark in the straight, running second last.
McLean paid Hooker Road the ultimate compliment, comparing him favourably with Some Are Bent, whom McLean rode to a string of feature wins in 2007 and '08.
"He reminds me a lot of that other little horse I ride," he said. "He's only small but he has a great big heart.
"At the start of the year it looked like I'd have a quiet season but it's great to have been able to ride for Colin and Cindy Alderson. I've had two rides for them now this season, both here, and both were winners."
McLean said yesterday's thrills were timely for jumps racing, which has suffered some bad press lately.
"Hopefully today we've put on a good show for everyone," he said.
Emotional co trainer Colin Alderson, who trains Hooker Road in partnership with daughter Cindy, described Hooker Road's narrow but courageous win as among the thrills of his career.
"I've been around a long time and trained a lot of Group 1 winners but this has given me a buzz to match any of those wins," Alderson said.
"It's horses like this who rekindle your faith in racing. He's a tiny little thing and really no good. On the flat he had no future but in jumps racing he is a giant. He's amazing."
Yesterday's two big jumps features provided thrills and spills that separate jumps racing from the flat.
Mazzacano provided the thrills in the steeplechase, but the race itself is what will be best remembered from yesterday's Australian Hurdle.
The first heart in mouth moment was Hooker Road's wretched jump about the 1400m, the fifth last, when he almost dislodged jockey Brad McLean.
McLean said later Hooker Road gave that jump "a pretty decent hit" but praised the horse's ability to pick himself up and plough on.
Two jumps later well backed favourite, Pentiffic ($3.30), appeared to be travelling like the winner third on the fence when he clipped the heels of leader Yamanaura on landing, stumbled, tossed jockey Craig Durden and continued on without the rider.
Pentiffic veered into Hooker Road's path approaching the home turn and carted him wide.
"I thought he was going to take me right off the track at one stage. My heart was in my mouth," Alderson said.
"In the end it was probably a blessing in disguise because he might have given Hooker Road something to run along with."
It was quite a sight in the straight with four runners, five if you include Pentiffic, who led the charge over the last jump, within a length of each other.
Hooker Road ($6) kept fending them off, holding Yamanuara ($8), who fought back strongly, by a neck. Juan Carlos ($8) ran on well for third, a length away.
Disappointment of the race was Desert Master ($4.40), who showed no spark in the straight, running second last.
McLean paid Hooker Road the ultimate compliment, comparing him favourably with Some Are Bent, whom McLean rode to a string of feature wins in 2007 and '08.
"He reminds me a lot of that other little horse I ride," he said. "He's only small but he has a great big heart.
"At the start of the year it looked like I'd have a quiet season but it's great to have been able to ride for Colin and Cindy Alderson. I've had two rides for them now this season, both here, and both were winners."
McLean said yesterday's thrills were timely for jumps racing, which has suffered some bad press lately.
"Hopefully today we've put on a good show for everyone," he said.