Racing: Brooks clan finally jumping for joy

Richard Cully aboard Jack Romanov yesterday. Photo / Trish Dunnell

Jack Romanov gave the Brooks family their day of glory at Ellerslie when he triumphed in a dramatic edition of the Great Northern Steeplechase.

The rugged gelding was a convincing winner of the Meadow Fresh-sponsored marathon for trainer Mark Brooks, who had produced Myths And Legends to finish runner-up in the 6400 metre test in 2011 and 2012.

"Myths was a tough old campaigner, but this horse has got a lot more flat ability," he said. "He always showed he had a lot of stamina as well."

His father Roger also went close in the Northern twice with The Image Maker, who was second in 1991 and 1992.

"It's very exciting and it was a bit nerve wracking for a while," Mark Brooks said. "It turned out perfectly in the end. I nearly came here 12 months ago, but it was a bit soon for him as a six-year-old.

"Nine times out of 10 it doesn't work out, but this time it has and we're all very happy."

It was a memorable day for the winning connections and one that had a twist at the end with Brooks' horse truck stranded at Ellerslie by mechanical problems.

A support crew of 15, including part-owners and friends, had travelled north from Cambridge in the truck and along with Jack Romanov had to find alternative rides home.

Eric The Viking set up a spectacular Northern with a daring ride from Emily Farr and at one stage they were out on their own by a conservative 100 metres.

"I was a little bit worried - they were a long way in front, but the track is so heavy and I thought they may have been going too quickly," winning rider Richard Cully said.

Jack Romanov collared the tiring leader 600 metres from home and he forged clear to beat Snodroptwinkletoes and Amanood Lad in a repeat of the Pakuranga Hunt Cup finish.

Meanwhile, trainer Kevin Myers and stable rider Matthew Gillies added the Great Northern Hurdles to their trophy list when they combined at Ellerslie with a gallant Gagarin.

Successful with the impressive Tallyho Twinkletoe in last month's Grand National Hurdles, they again proved a potent partnership with the seven-year-old too good for his stablemate Mahanadi yesterday.

"All credit to Kevin who has placed the horse very well," Gillies said.

Gagarin, who had finished runner-up 12 months ago, led over the closing 600m to defeat Mahanadi with last year's winner Wee Biskit third narrowly from Superturf.

- NZ Racing Desk