They may have played second fiddle to Trentham’s jumping features on Saturday, but the maiden hurdlers delivered plenty of excitement in the first two races of the meeting, unveiling a number of up-and-coming prospects.
In the opener, the Kevin Myers-trained Yolo (NZ) (Zed) was an odds-on favourite after finishing second behind Georgian Warrior on King’s Birthday at Te Aroha earlier in the week. The diminutive mare was one of the last to leave the barriers and jockey Corey Wiles was patient over the first couple of hurdles, before utilising her pace on the flat to make up ground along the back straight.
Testing conditions at the Upper Hutt course had the field strung out around the final bend, but Yolo was cruising into contention and looked a big danger to the leader, Countryman, on straightening. Countryman was tough to stay with the favourite, and Jerricoop was closing rapidly, but Yolo was too strong in the finish, saluting by 1 ¾ lengths.
The victory was a first over fences for Yolo, but she was more than capable on the flat, winning four races and picking up fourth placings in the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2100m), Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m), and Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m).
“She’s got good flat ability and I think that’s what helps her in the jumps races,” stable representative Caley Myers said.
“I don’t really know what the plan was – she kind of decides herself when she jumps out of the gates. But, she made up ground throughout the race and that was what helped her.”
A daughter of Zed out of the Al Akbar mare Take Three, Yolo is bred to perform over fences as a half-sister to champion jumper Kick Back, a winner of a Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m) and Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4900m).
Bred and raced by the Trotter family, Yolo has earned over $142,000 in 42 starts.
An equally competitive battle ensued in the second maiden contest, where Yolo’s stablemate So Call Me (NZ) (Sweynesse) started favourite ahead of Saint Bernard (NZ) (Dial A Prayer).
Another capable flat galloper, So Call Me got away well from an outside draw and streamed over the first fence, while key rival Saint Bernard settled at the back of the field under Kylan Wiles. The field put on a professional display along the back, and Saint Bernard came right into the mix at the 600m, putting the pressure on Mr Fabulous and So Call Me in the straight.
The trio negotiated the final three fences and Saint Bernard had the upper hand over the last, finding a strong finishing burst to fend off a game Mr Fabulous, while So Call Me and a fast-finishing Who’s Sam were within 1 ½ lengths of the winner.
An enquiry was lodged alleging interference between Saint Bernard and Mr Fabulous in the final straight, but it was subsequently dismissed by stewards.
By Dial A Prayer, Saint Bernard won his maiden on the flat last term and showed plenty of talent in his jumping debut at Wanganui, but raced out of his favoured pattern when hot-favourite at Te Rapa.
“He’s got a great big syndicate, and he probably didn’t have much of a future left on the flat, but he just loves jumping,” said Chrissy Bambry, who trains the gelding at Foxton.
“That was a great ride by Kylan, we probably learnt a little bit last time that we went a bit early. He can jump a bit high in those first couple, he’s still learning and he only learnt to jump last year. He can over-race and he used to do that in his flat races too, so when he’s out (the back), he doesn’t chase them as hard.
“You never start screaming until you get over that last fence, especially when it’s a Myers runner on your tail, but we’ve had a couple of jumps starts where they (So Call Me) haven’t, which was probably telling in the end.
“I’m really proud of him.”