Jesko shooting for gold in Wellington Steeplechase

Shaun Fannin aims for his first trainer title in the Wellington Steeplechase with Jesko. Photo / Race Images

Champion jumps jockey Shaun Fannin has tasted success in the Grant Plumbing Wellington Steeplechase (4900m) on two occasions, and today he will attempt to claim his first title as a trainer.

The Awapuni horseman will ride his rising stable star Jesko, who is making waves in the jumping scene, having won a hurdle race before transitioning to the bigger fences where he has accrued a faultless record, winning both of his steeplechase starts, including the Manawatū Steeplechase (4000m) at Trentham earlier this month.

He will return to the Upper Hutt venue this weekend where he will face his stiffest test to date against former New Zealand champion jumper The Cossack, and befitting the match-up, the race will be called by renowned race caller Matt Hill.

Fannin, who trains in partnership with his wife Hazel, has been pleased with Jesko’s progression since his last start triumph, and he is looking forward to tackling the infamous figure-eight circuit this weekend.

“He had an exhibition gallop at Ōtaki last Friday and he went well there, so he is tracking pretty well,” he said.

“He has performed quite well on the way through, and it is another step up again to face a horse like The Cossack who has got such a wonderful record.

“It is another test for him on Saturday, but he seems to be going the right way and we are pretty hopeful he will run just as well.”

Jesko is a sentimental favourite of Fannin’s, who bought him off Gavelhouse a few years ago as a foundation member of his burgeoning stable.

“I saw him on Gavelhouse in November 2021. He was there as an unraced 4-year-old and they said he was quite tough and one that they couldn’t do a whole lot with,” Fannin said.

“He looked like he had a bit of size to him in the photos so I thought he might be a good one to start off with. He was the first horse that I bought, and I thought I could get him going and maybe tip him off as a jumper, but that hasn’t eventuated.”

While he hasn’t sold Jesko as first planned, he has introduced several parties to the ownership group, the most recent being the Frac Club, with Fannin now sporting their gold colours aboard Jesko.

“I have had him since I started training and I have brought in a few different owners, and Hazel has joined the partnership,” Fannin said. “He is quite a special horse to us all.”

While he has partnered a number of top jumpers, Fannin said it is special to train one himself.

“It is quite exciting,” he said. “Everything that I have learned through my career I have been able to put that to use, and to see it come off is quite rewarding.”

All going to plan after Saturday, Fannin has his eyes on the $200,000 Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 150th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton in August, a race he has won the last three editions of aboard reigning New Zealand Jumper of the Year West Coast.

“As long as he goes well and pulls up well, we will have to have a look at the Grand National with him,” Fannin said. “It is worth very good prizemoney down there.”

Fannin said it will be a bittersweet moment when he eventually meets West Coast with Jesko, but he is looking forward to the challenge of attempting to usurp his previous charge.

“It would be very special,” Fannin said. “He (West Coast) has won the last three of them (Grand Nationals) and it is where he goes best, so it will be a good clash. I am hopeful that we can give West Coast a good race.”

The Mark Oulaghan-trained West Coast will continue his path towards defending his crown in the Riccarton feature when he appears on the Trentham undercard in the Wellington Lunch Club Supporting Racing At Trentham 2200, where he will be ridden by amateur jockey Tylah Mercer.

– LOVERACING.NZ News Desk