Trish Dunell Photography
Jumping newcomer Monarch Chimes sounded another ominous warning to his more experienced rivals at Ellerslie on Saturday.
The exciting six-year-old kept his unbeaten record over fences intact when he claimed the Harrison Lane Hurdles, the key lead-up to the Schweppes Great Northern Hurdles in a fortnight’s time.
Monarch Chimes hadn’t been tested in his previous two starts over fences and, despite a scare at the final flight, he successfully handled another rise in class in the hands of rider Shaun Phelan.
“He’s obviously measured up to what we thought of him and what Shaun thinks of him,” said Emma-Lee Brown, who trains Monarch Chimes with her husband David.
“As long as he comes through this one well we will head to the Northern. He’s loving his racing at the moment, he’s just thriving.”
Monarch Chimes loped along in fourth spot before he strode to the front 600 metres from home and picked himself up after botching the last fence to take top honours.
“What a horse, he keeps making the step up,” Phelan said. “It was a different league today and he proved he should be there.”
Monarch Chimes had a half-length to spare at the finish on El Corby, who has also showed the top grade holds no fears for him. He had won three of his previous four appearances over hurdles.
Third in was Just Got Home, winner of the race in 2014 and 2015 and runner-up last year, ahead of the topweight and the defending Great Northern Hurdles champion D’Llaro. – NZ Racing Desk.