Nancho Lass (centre)
Kenton Wright Race Images
An action packed edition of the Pakuranga Hunt Club's premier hurdle event at Ellerslie was concluded in favour of outsider Nancho Lass after the Craig Thornton trained mare was awarded the race in the enquiry room.
Ex-pat kiwi Richard Cully had produced the ride of the day to guide Ngatira Gold across the line in first place in the Harrison Lane sponsored contest after a rails hugging effort saw the combination repel the challenges of Nancho Lass and the well favoured Just Got Home in the run home.
However an alarming outwards movement by the winner in the closing 150 metres saw stewards fire in a protest on behalf of both placegetters after they were hampered when attempting to challenge in the concluding stages. The Judicial panel agreed both had their chances affected enough to warrant a change of placings with Ngatira Gold relegated to third, providing Nancho Lass with the victory.
Trainer Craig Thornton was philosophical about the final result, delighted to grab the victory however disappointed it came against his partner Samantha Logan who trains Ngatira Gold.
"I'm definitely pleased to get the win, especially for my owners, but to have it go against Samantha isn't how you would want it to go," he commented.
"That's racing however although I do think her horse is a massive chance in the Great Northern in a fortnight so I hope that can go in her favour then."
Thornton was keen on his mare's chances when track conditions improved dramatically during the week which the saw the race run on a Slow 9 surface.
"My mare loves the better ground and I said to Charlie (Studd) that it would definitely work for us and against some of those better fancied runners," he explained.
"She is a lovely jumper, very good in the air and has really come to it this season.
"There is some doubt she can get the Northern trip but if the weather stays good then we will take our chance in it."
The victory topped off some consistent form for the eight-year-old mare who had finished third to Ready Eddie in the Waikato Hurdles earlier in the season.
The early sensation in the contest was created by race favourite Raisafuasho who took a heavy tumble at the second fence on the journey. Rider Emily Farr remained prone on the track as the race continued with riders instructed by the clerk of the course to skirt the obstacle at the 1200 metre mark during the final lap of the race.
Farr, who had also fallen in the previous event on the card, was placed in an ambulance and transported to hospital for further observation. – NZ Racing Desk
Ex-pat kiwi Richard Cully had produced the ride of the day to guide Ngatira Gold across the line in first place in the Harrison Lane sponsored contest after a rails hugging effort saw the combination repel the challenges of Nancho Lass and the well favoured Just Got Home in the run home.
However an alarming outwards movement by the winner in the closing 150 metres saw stewards fire in a protest on behalf of both placegetters after they were hampered when attempting to challenge in the concluding stages. The Judicial panel agreed both had their chances affected enough to warrant a change of placings with Ngatira Gold relegated to third, providing Nancho Lass with the victory.
Trainer Craig Thornton was philosophical about the final result, delighted to grab the victory however disappointed it came against his partner Samantha Logan who trains Ngatira Gold.
"I'm definitely pleased to get the win, especially for my owners, but to have it go against Samantha isn't how you would want it to go," he commented.
"That's racing however although I do think her horse is a massive chance in the Great Northern in a fortnight so I hope that can go in her favour then."
Thornton was keen on his mare's chances when track conditions improved dramatically during the week which the saw the race run on a Slow 9 surface.
"My mare loves the better ground and I said to Charlie (Studd) that it would definitely work for us and against some of those better fancied runners," he explained.
"She is a lovely jumper, very good in the air and has really come to it this season.
"There is some doubt she can get the Northern trip but if the weather stays good then we will take our chance in it."
The victory topped off some consistent form for the eight-year-old mare who had finished third to Ready Eddie in the Waikato Hurdles earlier in the season.
The early sensation in the contest was created by race favourite Raisafuasho who took a heavy tumble at the second fence on the journey. Rider Emily Farr remained prone on the track as the race continued with riders instructed by the clerk of the course to skirt the obstacle at the 1200 metre mark during the final lap of the race.
Farr, who had also fallen in the previous event on the card, was placed in an ambulance and transported to hospital for further observation. – NZ Racing Desk