Class jumper Bodle has turned rider Jonathan Riddell's season around in spectacular style and he is hoping it will lead to his most notable victory in the $45,000 Wellington Steeplechase next Saturday.
Riddell, 22, had gone winless this year until he teamed up with Bodle to win a maiden steeplechase at Wanganui on June 14. They have now combined for a winning treble - the latest in the $20,000 Morgan Furniture Novice Steeplechase (4000m) at Trentham on Saturday.
Bodle, carrying 67kg, won with such authority that it is hard to see him not playing a major role in next week's feature when he drops to a 61kg handicap.
Riddell has no doubts that Bodle is the best jumper he has ridden.
He had some special moments aboard Any Questions, who won the Hawke's Bay and Koral Steeplechases. He would also have won the Grant National but for crashing at the final fence when looking a certain winner.
"They're two different types of horses," said Riddell when making comparisons.
"They were both good jumpers but Bodle is a bit more brilliant."
His main concern for next week is the extra distance of 1500m and the fact that Bodle can travel a bit keenly.
Saturday's race was made for him with Roi De Lyn setting a strong pace. Bodle, though trailing the leader by about 15 lengths in the middle stages, raced in second place and picked up the leader effortlessly when Riddell asked him to improve. He made it a one-horse affair in the last 400m, racing away to win by 11 lengths.
"He a brilliant horse to ride. It's really only a steering job - you just have to sit there and let him do it," Riddell said.
Riddell is hopeful of landing the feature double next Saturday.
He will also ride Montacute in the $30,000 Wellington Hurdles (3400m) and Riddell rates him a top chance after finishing second to Tommy Lad in the Hawke's Bay Hurdles.
Bodle, who fashioned a great record over hurdles, has taken to the bigger fences like a duck to water.
Trainer and part-owner Alby MacGregor initially intended missing the Wellington Steeplechase in favour of another novice event at Riccarton next month.
But along with co-owner Gavin Semmens, he can see no reason to wait another year when Bodle is a rising 11-year-old.
The Pat's Victory gelding has now chalked up 13 victories and taken his stake earnings to $132,350.
Apart from Bodle, there was little to enthuse about other Wellington Steeplechase entrants in Saturday's event.
Criteria was the best of them in fourth place, 22.5 lengths from the winner, while Narghile Bay was 60 lengths away in eighth place. Wickerman and Crown Range both lost their riders in the last 800m when out of contention.
Best of those behind Bodle were Three Generations, who ran on well for second at only his second steeplechase start, and Roi De Lyn, who battled well for third after racing very keenly in the lead.
Neither horse is entered next week for the Wellington Steeplechase though Raymond Connors, trainer-rider of Three Generations, said he would probably start stablemate Mighty Chatum, who ran third at Te Awamutu on Saturday.
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Classic Spirit and sister No Fibs are making a habit of winning on the same day but next week they come face to face in the $30,000 Parliamentary Handicap at Trentham.
The Roger McGlade-trained pair both won at Ellerslie on June 4 and repeated the effort on Saturday but at different venues.
Classic Spirit completed a notable double when winning the $20,000 Te Awamutu Cup to go along with the $50,000 Cornwall Handicap at Ellerslie while No Fibs made an impressive open class debut in the $25,000 Winter Oats at Trentham.
Classic Spirit and No Fibs will be accompanied to Trentham by the jumper Our Bro, who contests the Wellington Steeplechase.
- NZPA
Racing: Bodle emerges as jumping's latest star
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