Skip to main content
#
 
Latest Posts

New Zealand Racing News
Monday, April 30 2018

Connections of talented chaser Monarch Chimes are optimistic about his chances of feature success at Warrnambool after securing 11th hour qualification to contest the Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) and Grand Annual Steeplechase (5500m).

Co-trainer Emma-lee Browne said the six-year-old had taken benefit from his winning Australian debut at Racing.com Park and, despite an innocuous fall in a trial last week, would line up in peak physical condition after a successful schooling session on Sunday.

Monarch Chimes ($3.70 in CrownBet's Brierly market) accounted for Brierly rivals Dormello Mo ($6) and Now And Zen ($6) at Pakenham and Browne is excited about the prospect of facing Australia’s premier jumper, the Patrick Payne-trained Zed Em, for the first time on Tuesday.

"The confidence levels are pretty good, especially after what he showed us at Pakenham," Browne said.

"That was his first run over jumps for the season and he really needed it.

"He came through that run in super order and a lot of that probably has to do with being able to stay with Natalie (Young) and Trent (Busuttin) at Cranbourne, it's a huge asset being based there and it's helped the horse settle in so quickly.

"He had a little bit of a hiccup at the trials last week where he basically slipped and fell on the flat after jumping the last fence but there were no issues with him and he schooled beautifully there yesterday so he's got his ticket.

"The only little concern I have is the lack of rain because we think he's a better horse on rain-affected ground."

And while Tuesday's A$150,000 Brierly Steeplechase is the son of Shinko King's primary target at Warrnambool, Browne said he remains a strong chance to back up in Thursday's A$350,000 jumping showpiece.

"We'll definitely accept for the Annual because we're here, he's feeling well and we're booked on a flight back to New Zealand next week," she said.

"But our main focus at the moment is the Brierly so we'll tackle that first and see how he comes out of it before we make a firm decision on the Annual."

Browne also confirmed that last-start Gr.3 Auraria Stakes (1800m) placegetter Belle Du Nord would return to New Zealand for a spell instead of tackling Saturday's Gr.1 Schweppes Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville.

Posted by: AT 11:20 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
Social Media
email usour twitterour facebook page