The Big Opal
Race Images Christchurch
The Big Opal produced a gem of a performance on Saturday to complete a dream opening to the Grand National carnival at Riccarton for Kevin Myers.
The Wanganui jumper produced a flawless display off the front to win the NZI Koral Steeplechase in a canter ahead of the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase in seven days' time.
The Big Opal was partnered by Mathew Gillies and completed a clean sweep of the jumping events for Myers following the earlier successes of the Shaun Fannin-ridden duo of Ngario and Mailly.
For Gillies, it represented a perfect return to riding after a nasty fall at Trentham last month left him side-lined with concussion.
"That was great and it was Kevin's decision for me to ride him so well done to everybody involved," Gillies said.
The Big Opal jumped well at the head of the field and he was never in danger of defeat, cruising to victory and remains unbeaten after four steeplechase starts.
"He travelled well all the way and I had a lot of horse left under me," Gillies said.
The Myers team is again in the capable care of Ken Harrison in Christchurch and he was naturally delighted with The Big Opal's effort.
"That will be a good tonic for his owner Tony Dravitzki, who's been ill and for Mathew coming back from his stand down from concussion," he said.
The Big Opal won by nine lengths from Upper Cut with Gargamel third ahead of the defending Grand National Steeples champion High Forty, who made late ground from the tail of the field. – NZ Racing Desk.
The Wanganui jumper produced a flawless display off the front to win the NZI Koral Steeplechase in a canter ahead of the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase in seven days' time.
The Big Opal was partnered by Mathew Gillies and completed a clean sweep of the jumping events for Myers following the earlier successes of the Shaun Fannin-ridden duo of Ngario and Mailly.
For Gillies, it represented a perfect return to riding after a nasty fall at Trentham last month left him side-lined with concussion.
"That was great and it was Kevin's decision for me to ride him so well done to everybody involved," Gillies said.
The Big Opal jumped well at the head of the field and he was never in danger of defeat, cruising to victory and remains unbeaten after four steeplechase starts.
"He travelled well all the way and I had a lot of horse left under me," Gillies said.
The Myers team is again in the capable care of Ken Harrison in Christchurch and he was naturally delighted with The Big Opal's effort.
"That will be a good tonic for his owner Tony Dravitzki, who's been ill and for Mathew coming back from his stand down from concussion," he said.
The Big Opal won by nine lengths from Upper Cut with Gargamel third ahead of the defending Grand National Steeples champion High Forty, who made late ground from the tail of the field. – NZ Racing Desk.