Forgotten horse Spanish Symbol came back from a bowed tendon to score an upset win in the Hiskens Steeplechase at Moonee Valley yesterday.
The Melbourne crowd watched the race in anticipation that the hot favourite, Some Are Bent, would equal the record of nine straight jumps wins setby Lots Of Time nearly 40 years ago.
But it wasn't to be, with Some Are Bent under pressure a long way out and struggling into third place.
"He raced a bit keen," Brad McLean, who has won seven jumps races on Some Are Bent, said of the favourite. The grey [Swift Rule] didn't leave him alone but he tried his heart out.
"A spell is the best thing for him now. He's done a great job, there were no excuses."
Trainer Robert Smerdon said Some Are Bent would now be spelled and that he hadn't been invited to run in next year's Nakayama Grand Jump in Japan.
Spanish Symbol gave trainer Tom Hughes the feature jumps double after the promising Shrogginet won the Moonee Valley Hurdle by 15 lengths.
The rising 8-year-old gave Adam Trinder his second Hiskens victory. He won the race on Misty Weather for his father Michael in 2003.
Sent out at $15, Spanish Symbol raced away on the home turn and went on to score by eight lengths from Anyone We Know ($21) with with Some Are Bent 2 1/4 lengths away third.
"We set him for it 12 months ago and, outside of him falling [in the Macdonald Steeple], he hadn't missed a beat in six months," Hughes said.
"He made a blue last time, he slipped, but he schooled beautifully here on Tuesday."
Grand National Steeple winner Clearview Bay was never a chance, finishing ninth of the 12 runners.
Shrogginet, the hurdles winner, was to be sold last month but Hughes persuaded owner Ray Orloff to keep him.
"He's pretty special," Hughes said. Shrogginet was an unlucky fifth in the Barr Smith Hurdle (3200m) at the Valley two weeks ago when run off the track.
Sent out $4 equal favourite, Shrogginet, ridden for the first time by Brett Scott, settled well back early. He won despite dipping badly at the second last hurdle in the A$100,000 feature.
Victory Nik ran on well for second with Johnny Knoxville 3 1/4 lengths away third.
