Shaun and Hazel Fannin’s pair of talented jumpers in Jesko and Fourty Eight will clash for the first time over fences in Sunday’s hotly-contested Ben and Ryan Foote Great New Zealand Steeplechase (6200m) at Te Aroha.
Jesko has been the lamp-lighter for the stable this year, winning the Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m), Wellington Steeplechase (4900m) and Koral Steeplechase (4250m), before going down to a game Captains Run in the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m).
He has been ridden on each occasion by Shaun Fannin, who was proud of his charge’s effort in the testing conditions at Riccarton.
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“He was very brave, he got taken on a little bit in the run and probably did too much, which told in the finish in that really tough going,” he said.
“In saying that, he never chucked it away and Captains Run was an impressive winner, so I take nothing away from that horse.”
The son of Atlante returned to their Awapuni base and enjoyed a quiet fortnight before setting his sights on a rematch with much of his National rivals. That preparation included a hit-out in a bottomless New Plymouth track last Saturday, where he finished seventh in the Road To The Jericho (3210m).
“He had 10 days off before building towards this race, he jumped out last Tuesday at Foxton then we took him to New Plymouth, which turned out to be an extremely heavy track,” Fannin said.
“It was probably a harder run than we wanted to give him, but he’s pretty tough and it didn’t knock him too much, he’s come through that run well.
“He’s as good as we’re going to get him and we’re hopeful that he’s in good enough form to be a really good chance on Sunday, he’s had a super season.”
Jesko opened a $5 favourite for the $200,000 feature with Australian betting sites, but the market has his stablemate nearly on even terms, with Fourty Eight an equal second-elect at $6.
The seven-year-old by Ekraar has improved throughout his campaign and stepped up in his first attempt at prestige level, finishing third behind Nedwin in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4300m). Fannin was on board and had to contend with a riderless horse coming in and out of play, which was no assist to Fourty Eight’s chances.
“That undid him really, he can be quite temperamental sometimes and that fired him up a bit, he pulled quite hard,” Fannin said. “He was just chasing that horse and every time he got a breather it seemed to come back again.
“He stuck on well, and maybe if that hadn’t have happened, I think he could’ve finished a bit closer.”
He also lined up in the Jericho qualifier but was well beaten at the 800m, and Fannin said the gelding hadn’t taken any harm from the run.
“We took him to New Plymouth to give him a bit of a hit out before Sunday, but he didn’t really do anything there, whether it was just the track I’m not sure,” he said.
“We got him scoped and checked over by the vet on Monday and he’s all clear, he had a bit of a school on Thursday morning and worked up as good as ever so I can’t really fault him.
“If he sees the trip out, he should be a good chance as well.”
Recently awarded his fifth Jumps Jockey of the Year title at the Horse of the Year Awards, Fannin will continue his partnership with Jesko, while entrusting close friend Mathew Gillies with the ride on Fourty Eight.
“Matt’s a super rider and we’ve been good friends for a long time as well,” he said. “He actually schooled this horse last year when he was down for a weekend, so he’s ridden him before.
“He’s quite a strong rider as well, so if he did get up and pulling, I’m sure Matt will be able to rein him in quite quickly. I think they’ll be a good pairing.”
