Racing: Jumps newcomer quick to take advantage of fall

Simply regal made a winning debut as a jumper in spectacular fashion at Ellerslie yesterday, taking out the opening event, the Masters Maiden Hurdle.

The 8-year-old strode to the front with 600 metres remaining, when the pace-setting favourite, Malarkey, jumped too early and fell.

Simply Regal and jockey Lance Macfarlane were in front and they made no mistakes, lasting to win by 3/4 of a length over the solid-closing Centevfoaled. A further length away, Taukiri finished third.

Trainer Davina Waddell has taken Simply Regal to the races 41 times for five wins and 10 minor placings. He was a 20-1 shot.

He worked forward to sit outside Malarkey for the closing 1000 metres of the race. He applied the pressure and Malarkey fell, losing all chance with 600 metres remaining.

The winner was a sitting duck for any horse good enough to catch him in the home stretch, but would not be denied this impressive victory.

Derek Satherley, the rider of Malarkey, was badly concussed after the fall and suffered possible shoulder and knee injuries.

Rudy Liefting has become a familiar figure on New Zealand racetracks as the companion of champion filly Justa Tad.

However, the Takanini-based trainer has had plenty of success recently with other stable runners throughout the North Island.

The latest of these was Red Bunting, in the hands of comeback apprentice Patrick Holmes, who unleashed a sustained sprint finish in the home stretch to score a narrow but determined victory at Ellerslie.

Red Bunting won the Sylvia Fullam Memorial by a short neck over Forest King, with a further 3/4 of a length away to Cool Dane (third).

The Shinko King-sired 4-year-old was turned out in great order for his first run back from a seven-month spell to score his maiden win in nine career starts.

Missy Browne did not have the most enjoyable start to her day.

The 2.5kg-claiming apprentice jockey fell when completing a two-horse jumping exhibition before the opening event and cut her tongue, but showed her toughness to win the third event.

Browne and Camouflage posted an effortless nine-length victory in the Cato Packaging Maiden Steeplechase, powering to the front with 600 metres remaining.

Stablemate Worthy Sir battled on gallantly to finish second, a further 15 lengths clear of the third-placed Crown Dancer.

The Lumbercorp Open Hurdles went to High Season, given a dream run by Kenny Watson. Despite dipping badly at the last fence, High Season won by two lengths from Poacher, who was a nose ahead of Midnight Opal (third).

- HERALD ON SUNDAY