KEY POINTS:
Mick Lester clearly remembers his response when first approached to manage a syndicate to race a horse.
The former Hawkes Bay farmer, now a district councillor, had not previously raced a horse and was surprised when Hastings trainer Paul Nelson, an old friend, made the approach.
"I said
I know nothing about horses," said Lester, after Just A Swagger's win in the $70,000 Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton on Saturday.
Just A Swagger was the horse for which Lester was asked to manage the syndicate.
Nelson had taken over Just A Swagger as a jumping prospect which was part of the appeal for Lester. But it was being part of a syndicate which convinced Lester to take part.
"I've always had an interest in horses but a syndicate would be the only way I would do it. And I've always had a particular interest in jumpers," he said.
There was another surprise when Nelson revealed to Lester the size of the syndicate.
"Then he told me there was going to be 30 in the syndicate. That made me cough and splutter a little bit."
The syndicate actually involves more like 60 people. There are 30 shares but the number is easily doubled when taking into account husbands and wives or partners.
Lester said the syndicate has members from around New Zealand and among them is New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chairman Guy Sargent.
The syndicate, named I See Red Syndicate, only became Just A Swagger's owner when the horse was about a 7-year-old.
The 11-year-old, by Just A Dancer, had done his previous racing on the flat without success but has since compiled an outstanding record over the fences.
He won the Grand National Hurdles in 2004 and 2005 before finishing second in 2006.
Last year he was third in the Grand National Steeplechase before Saturday's win, which completed a Grand National double for Nelson after Just Not Cricket's win in the hurdles.
It was the second time Nelson had completed the double.
He first achieved the feat in 2005 with Just A Swagger in the hurdles and No Hero in the steeplechase.
No Hero was an entry for the steeplechase on Saturday, but was a late scratching with a minor injury.
Nelson said Just A Swagger was unlikely to tackle next month's Great Northern Steeplechase.
He said the best option was probably to aim at next year's Grand National meeting.
"He goes so well down here. I probably should keep him for here," Nelson said.
Just A Swagger, ridden by Melbourne-based former New Zealand jockey Brett Scott, relished the very heavy ground to score by two lengths in the slow time of 7:29.87 for the 5600m.
It was the second slowest time in nearly 90 years, behind, the 7:32.88 recorded by Bogeyman in 2006.
The win was Scott's second in the race, after piloting Deecee Seven in 1997.
Second on Saturday was Nicholman who fought well after looming up on Just A Swagger's inner in the straight while there was a gap of 28 lengths to third-placed The Mussel Man who made the pace.
Nearly 60 lengths away fourth was Captain Jingle who failed to threaten at any stage.
The favourite, The Jolly Dancer, fell ar a fence with about 1000m to run but rider Tom Hazlett said it made little difference.
"I was gone when he fell," Hazlett said.
- NZPA