American In Paris underlined he could be Symon Wilde’s heir apparent to his star fencer Gold Medals with a runaway 10 lengths victory in Eulong Cavendish Steeple (3450m) at Hamilton.
Wilde though wasn’t talking about Grand Annual Steeples after the win but rather this year’s Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat on August 29.
American In Paris, by Melbourne Cup winner Americain, is only a five-year-old gelding and he was having only his second start over the fences.
Wilde said he was pleased with the win and Ronan Short’s ride.
“Ronan rode him like the best horse in the race, like an odds on pop, and he stayed out of trouble.”
“He jumps really well. He can really stay. He’s not the quickest horse in the world.”
“I think he could be a horse who can get into a National down in the weights - I think that will be his go. A serious stamina test, heavy ground and even further is right up his alley,” Wilde said.
“He’s a nice horse. Only five. He’s got a bright future. Ronan’s done all the work on him since he’s been here. Baillie Keast, the lad who led him today, he’s in the ownership, it’s a nice thrill for everyone.”
Short said it was a very satisfying win as he was owned by several members of Wilde’s stable including the trainer himself.
“We always thought he'd get to a feature level. Once he gets out to 4000 metres and further we’ll see the best of him,” Short said.
Cranbourne trainer Chris Hyland was pleased his good grounding with Annunciate paid off when he took out the Bet365 Maiden Hurdle (3200m) at his second jumps start.
“He did a good job. He’ll make a nice jumper. As soon as he has a bad run I’ll tip him out and he’ll make a better horse next year,” Hyland said.
Annunciate had 11 flat runs and two jumps trials before he finished third at Warrnambool at his hurdle debut.
Annunciate is a six-year-old gelding by former top galloper and sire All Too Hard who is a half brother to Black Caviar.
Annunciate, ridden by Steve Pateman, took the lead a long way out and didn’t look like being beaten.
Pateman said he got to the front a bit earlier than he wanted to as he had to make his move a bit earlier than he wanted to.
He also said Annunciate had a good future as a jumper.
Ballarat trainer Amy McDonald was also thrilled that Bakery Hill managed to win his maiden hurdle at his third jumps run for her and his fourth in his career.
McDonald praised the ride of former Irish jockey Chris McCarthy to get him home.
Bendigo trainer Brett Charry combined with Braidon Small to score with By Design who won the other maiden hurdle running down Holburt in the closing stages.
Will Gordon continued his good season and week with a victory on Looking Around in the Midfield Group Hurdle.
Looking Around is trained by jumps racing’s foremost trainer in terms of winners in Eric Musgrove.
Musgrove praised Gordon’s ride, where he didn’t go around a horse, as a “beautiful one.”
Musgrove said Looking Around was an extremely fit horse and likened him to a marathon runner.
