Racing: Tunnell triumphs against odds

Laura Tunnell must be one of the most perfectly-balanced jumps jockeys in New Zealand racing after her stunning display to win the $70,000 Great Northern Hurdles aboard Starbo at Ellerslie yesterday.

Tunnell rode for the last lap of the 4190-metre feature without the use of the right riding iron and still managed to stay aboard Starbo while jumping hurdle fences in track record-setting time.

After racing three wide then outside the leader, Starbo drifted back to midfield but closed rapidly on Midnight Opal once safely over the final fence.

Midnight Opal and jockey Ben Ropiha appeared to lose all sense of direction when jumping the last fence and this cost the combination a likely victory as they were overhauled in the final stride.

Starbo showed superior speed over the closing 200m to win by a long neck over Midnight Opal with a further 3/4 of a length back to Mr Barrymore (third). The winner has a perfect three-from-three record competing over hurdle fences for Wanganui-based trainer Allan James.

Losing one or possibly both riding irons is a constant fear for jockeys in the sport of thoroughbred racing.

But for a jumps jockey to ride the entire last lap of a Great Northern Hurdles without the use of one riding iron and win in track record time is the hallmark of a competent and fearless rider.

Tunnell was reserved about her winning performance. "It was just a matter of focussing on staying balanced on the horse for the last lap and keeping him within striking distance of the leaders because he has so much pace on the flat."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY