Racing: Jumping debut ends on the deck

Everyone knew interest would centre on Better on Top making his jumping debut in a steeplechase at Te Rapa yesterday.

But no one knew how much they would be talking about the Matamata stayer post-race.

Fair to sat Better On Top made a spectacular debut.

And fair to say he could only improve.

Better On Top, at $2.70, fell heavily when he crashed near the wing of the second-last fence when disputing the lead with joint favourite Quartz.

The problem was he carted Quartz out as well and he fell just as heavily.

Henrythegun was then in front and in a million-to-one chance, he crashed through the wing of the last fence, not falling, but losing rider Cyrille Leveque.

That left Quartz's stablemate Scenic Pete to win the race, when the best he could have done 400m out was to have finished fourth.

All three jockeys and horses were unharmed.

Better On Top looks to have a future as a jumper. Over the bigger fences he showed all the speed expected as a horse still competitive on the flat, but gawked at everything throughout, making Isaac Lupton work every stride of the way.

Quartz loomed up with four fences to jump and was being hailed the winner, but Better On Top's superior flat pace might have been a telling point had both stood up.

As spectacular as that was there were few dramas one race later when high-class act Climbing High proved too strong in the main steeplechase.

Climbing High, on the march to the Waikato Steeples on May 22, was pressured in front almost throughout, but he had too much class and raced clear from the last fence.

Before the tracks become very heavy he will be difficult to beat in anything he attempts.

* Matamata apprentice Sam Collett will ride Sir Slick in the Hollindale Stakes on the Gold Coast tomorrow.

Stable rider Sam Spratt will also travel to Queensland to handle Gallions Reach in the same race for trainer Richard Yuill.

The third New Zealander in the field, Court Ruler, will be ridden by Australian jockey Danny Brereton.

Matamata filly Spera needs one scratching to make the field for the A$125,000 Listed Gold Coast bracelet for trainer John Sargent.

If she makes the field her rider will be Michael Rodd.

Connections of speed mare Wealth Princess nominated, but did not accept for the A$150,000 Listed Silk Stocking, for which she was handicapped at second topweight of 56.5kg.