Racing: Stylish victory seals trip south

HAMILTON - Dashing steeplechaser Lost In The Flood made one decision for his owner-trainers Ken and Ann Browne with his decisive win in the Inter-Island Steeplechase at Paeroa.

The rising nine-year-old sealed his return trip south for a tilt at the $50,000 Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton next month when he trounced the favourite, Reb's Shu, by 10 lengths in the 4000m event on Wednesday. "He'll definitely go down for the national now," said Ken Browne after watching Michelle Hopkins guide Lost In The Flood to an all-the-way win.

"But we have still got to decide which other ones will start down there [at Riccarton]. We've got five or six to split up between there on the first day and the Auckland 'chase on the same day, August 5.

"We will just see what happens this weekend and then work it all out."

Lost In The Flood has already proved himself over the Riccarton country, having won on the course on July 8 when ridden by Kelly Murray.

The Brownes then decided to bring the horse back north especially for Wednesday's contest, in which Lost In The Flood completed a hat-trick of wins. He preceded his Riccarton victory with a Te Rapa win when also ridden by Murray.

It became obvious right from the outset that Lost In The Flood was in the race to make the pace as he went straight to the front from usual frontrunner Reb's Shu.

Lost In The Flood was clear by 10-12 lengths at stages of the event and though Reb's Shu closed down the back straight the last time, the margin between the two increased again going up the hill at the back of the course.

"I could hear a horse brushing through the fences behind me, but I couldn't see if it was going all right," Hopkins said.

"I just knew that my horse was loving it. I have won on him from behind before, but he's better suited when he's let bowl along."

Lost In The Flood gave the Brownes their first Inter-Island Steeplechase victory and should get a chance to extend his winning sequence before the Grand National.

"He might go round again on the first day down there [in the Koral Steeplechase]," Browne said.

The Brownes have also pencilled in All Rhythm and Fair Brother for the Koral Steeplechase and at this stage the stable's hopefuls for the Grand National Steeplechase consist of All Rhythm, Fair Brother, Lost In The Flood, Wanderlust and Gold Story, winner of the Great Northern Hurdles at Ellerslie.

Fair Brother was withdrawn by the Brownes from the Paeroa feature, but there is nothing amiss with the horse.

"He didn't need to go round," Browne said.

"With Lost In The Flood and Wanderlust in the race we had two good chances. One that would lead and one that could come from the back if the race worked out that way.

"As it was Wanderlust never got a look in, but the race has improved him."

Wanderlust finished sixth of the eight runners.

- NZPA